Lawmakers in Mental Hygiene committee urge 7.8% COLA for direct‑care workers, stress crisis‑response planning

At a joint session of the New York State Legislature's Mental Hygiene Joint Conference Committee, lawmakers said they broadly support a 7.8% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for direct‑care workers and urged continued work on crisis intervention services, including legislation commonly called Daniel's Law.

The committee co‑chairs opened by reviewing subcommittee procedures, including that co‑chairs determine parliamentary matters, alternates may participate but cannot vote unless designated to fill an excused vacancy, no proxy voting is permitted, and that no report shall be filed except upon an affirmative vote of a majority of each House delegation. Sierra Stevenson and Ankeisha Murray were named as the recording secretaries for the Assembly and Senate, respectively. Agencies listed for future budget discussion included the Department of Mental Hygiene, the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the Office of Mental Health, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Justice Center for the Protection of People With Special Needs.

Assemblymember Joanne Simon, co‑chair of the joint committee and chair of the Assembly Mental Health Committee, and lawmakers from both houses repeatedly emphasized the 7.8% increase as a priority. "We strongly support continuing to add increased funding to those programs that serve both the concurrent mental health and substance use disorder," said Assemblymember Phil Steck. Steck added that the committee wants guarantees that the 7.8% increase "will go to the workforce that is performing the work."

Senator Patricia Cantoneri Fitzpatrick said she was "very pleased to see that the Senate and Assembly 1 House proposals both had a 7.8% COLA increase," and contrasted that with the governor's proposal of 2.1%. "When you factor in the years of underinvestment, it's all the more important that we ensure the 7.8% increase makes it into the final budget since our workforce is our most vital asset," she said. Cantoneri Fitzpatrick also urged continued involvement of law enforcement in developing emergency and crisis service plans, saying she hopes "at least one member of the council is a member of law enforcement. I think that's critical, not only for the safety of our first responders, but the individuals in crisis as well."

Senator Natalia Fernandez, chair of the substance use disorder committee, said the budget "is reflective of values, making sure that recovery services, like vocational and job training for those in recovery are there," and reiterated support for the 7.8% COLA. Assemblywoman Jody Giglio described the increase as "a targeted inflationary increase" intended to make up for years when pay did not keep pace with inflation. Assemblyman Angelo Santa Barbara, chair of the Disabilities Committee, likewise voiced support for holding the 7.8% figure "as we go forward."

Assemblyman Joe Sempulinski, the ranking member on the mental health committee, said the group — despite differences on other issues — demonstrated "a really broad consensus on the 7.8" COLA and called that bipartisan agreement "very heartening." Senator Patricia Fahey, newly chairing the disabilities committee, added that continued focus on direct service provider wages and capital investments in homes and facilities will remain priorities.

Committee members also discussed crisis intervention planning. Several speakers expressed support for Daniel's Law (described in the meeting as an initiative to expand crisis intervention services) and urged that law enforcement be included in planning and oversight where appropriate. No formal votes on Daniel's Law or the COLA were recorded during the session.

Staff and members agreed to continue consultations as the budget negotiations proceed. "Staff is in consultation with members and we will continue this work through these issues," a committee leader said near the close of the meeting.

No formal committee votes were recorded in the provided transcript. The session primarily consisted of procedural guidance, statements of legislative priorities for the FY2025 budget process relating to mental hygiene agencies, and direction to staff to continue negotiations and follow‑up work.