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Hochul budget boosts community mental health, but lawmakers press for bigger pay and more beds
Summary
The legislature heard the Office of Mental Health’s FY2026 funding plan Wednesday, including money for crisis teams, peer bridges and 100 forensic restoration beds — but lawmakers and providers urged larger, recurring pay increases and clearer plans to open new community programs.
The legislature’s joint fiscal committees heard a broad overview Wednesday of Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed FY2026 mental health investments and lingering implementation questions from local and statewide advocates.
The Office of Mental Health testified that the executive budget continues multi‑year support for community prevention, crisis response and forensic services. Commissioner Sullivan told the panel the plan expands mobile outreach and peer‑bridge programs, adds targeted funding for maternal and teen mental health, and includes $160 million in capital to add 100 psychiatric forensic restoration beds on Wards Island plus $21 million for staffing at state forensic facilities.
Why it matters: advocates and county directors said the…
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