Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation establishing confidentiality protections for communications made by law enforcement officers during peer-to-peer counseling sessions. The law, named in memory of New York State Police Lieutenant Joseph Banish, who died by suicide in 2008, aims to reduce stigma, support first responder mental wellness, and create formal pathways for confidential counseling.
“Protecting New York’s first responders and ensuring they have the support they need to carry out their duties is a critical part of my public safety mission,” Hochul said. “Officers deserve counseling services tailored to their experiences and conducted with discretion. By strengthening these programs, we are creating safe spaces for honest conversations that improve mental health and well-being.”
The Lieutenant Joseph Banish Mental Health Act (Legislation S6244A/A6721A) sets confidentiality standards for law enforcement peer counseling and establishes rules for disclosure in situations involving threats of suicide or self-harm, threats to others, admissions of criminal conduct, or cases of child abuse or neglect.
Police officers face higher rates of suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder than the general public, largely due to exposure to traumatic incidents and the stressful nature of the work. Peer counseling programs have been developed to provide mental health support in a setting that understands the unique challenges of police work. This new law strengthens those programs, encourages open dialogue, and ensures that officers can seek help with confidence that sensitive communications are protected.
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