New York Assembly Bill A10093

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/26
• Refer: 1/30/26

Caption

Establishes a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning plus crisis hotline

Summary

A10093 would amend the Mental Hygiene Law to require the Commissioner of Mental Health to establish a 24-hour, toll-free LGBTQ+ crisis hotline and companion website. The service would be designed for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning individuals experiencing emotional distress, suicidal ideation, or other crisis-related challenges, and would provide immediate support, referrals, and information about relevant services and programs. The bill specifies that the hotline and website must offer confidential and anonymous assistance, be accessible to people with disabilities, and include multilingual, linguistically competent, and culturally competent support. It also requires digital access options such as text messaging and web chat, and directs the department to coordinate with local crisis organizations, LGBTQ+ centers, mental health providers, and state and local agencies to maintain an up-to-date referral network. An annual public report with disaggregated data on call volume, issues, referrals, and service gaps would be required to evaluate effectiveness.

Impact

This bill would add a new section to the Mental Hygiene Law and create a state-run LGBTQ+ crisis response infrastructure within the Department of Mental Health. It would not alter criminal penalties or insurance rules, but it would impose new administrative duties on the state to operate the hotline, maintain referral resources, ensure accessibility and confidentiality, and publish annual performance data. The measure would also likely affect coordination among mental health providers, LGBTQ+ service organizations, shelters, legal aid, and other support agencies that may be listed as referral resources.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears to be framed as a public health and suicide-prevention initiative with a strongly supportive policy rationale. Its emphasis on crisis intervention, accessibility, and culturally competent services suggests the sponsor intends it as a targeted support program for a vulnerable population. There is no recorded opposition in the provided materials, but the bill’s introduction in committee indicates it is still in the early stages of consideration.

Contention

The main points of potential contention are likely to involve implementation and scope rather than the basic goal of crisis support. Questions may arise about funding, staffing, whether the state should operate a separate LGBTQ+ hotline versus expanding existing crisis services, and how to define and maintain the broad referral network. Some stakeholders could also focus on the inclusion of gender-affirming care, reproductive and sexual health clinics, immigration support, and other services in the referral list, as well as the privacy and data-reporting requirements.