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Bill

A 3607

Establishes the mental health educational opportunity program and the mental health higher educational opportunity program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and 6 co-sponsors

The bill creates two mental health education programs in higher education to expand access and support for students pursuing mental health pathways.

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Bill Summary · A 3607

Summary of New York A 3607 — Mental Health Educational Opportunity Programs

Overview

  • Bill number: A 3607
  • Title: Establishes the mental health educational opportunity program and the mental health higher educational opportunity program
  • Status: REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
  • Introduced: January 29, 2025
  • Classification: bill

What the bill would do (as stated)

  • The bill is described as establishing two programs:

    • Mental Health Educational Opportunity Program
    • Mental Health Higher Educational Opportunity Program

  • The provided information confirms the creation of these two programs but does not include the bill’s text, which would specify program goals, eligibility, funding, administration, and reporting requirements.

Key provisions (documented content vs. unspecified details)

  • Documented: The bill would establish two named programs focused on mental health within the educational sector.
  • Not specified in the provided materials:
    • Eligibility criteria (who qualifies to participate)
    • Funding levels, sources, and allocations
    • Administrative agency or bodies responsible (e.g., a state higher education department, SUNY/CUNY, or another entity)
    • Allowed activities (grants, scholarships, training, workforce development, research, services)
    • Performance metrics, reporting requirements, and sunset/ renewal provisions
    • Implementation timeline and phases

Note: Full details would be found in the bill text and any accompanying fiscal notes or committee memos.

Who would be affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Students and institutions involved in higher education who would participate in or administer the mental health education programs.
  • Institutions likely impacted: State and possibly public higher education systems (e.g., SUNY, CUNY), depending on program scope and administering agency.
  • Stakeholders to watch: Prospective and current students pursuing mental health fields; faculty and administrators in higher education; mental health advocates and workforce development groups.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Current status: Referred to the Senate/Assembly Higher Education committee for consideration.
  • Timeline: No further dates are provided in the summary. Typically, a bill would proceed through committee hearings, potential amendments, and votes before moving to floor consideration.

Sponsors and related bills

  • Primary sponsor: Anna Kelles
  • Cosponsors: MaryJane Shimsky, Demond Meeks, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Christopher Eachus
  • Related bills:
    • A 7591 (prior-session)
    • S 2046 (companion) — listed as a companion bill
    • Note: S 2046 appears twice in the provided related-bills list

Potential impact and considerations

  • If enacted, the two programs could expand mental health education opportunities and strengthen mental health workforce development within higher education.
  • Implications may include enhanced access to mental health education, potential grants or scholarships, and increased coordination between higher education and mental health services.
  • Fiscal implications would depend on appropriations and administering agency responsibilities as defined in the enacted text.

Next steps for readers

  • Review the full bill text and any fiscal notes or committee memos for specifics on eligibility, funding, governance, and reporting.
  • Track amendments and floor votes in the Higher Education committees and chambers.
  • Consider how the proposed programs align with existing mental health education and workforce development initiatives in the state.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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