2017/117 — In relation to requiring the department of health and mental hygiene to submit a plan for serving the behavioral health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual …

L.L. 2017/117

Enactment date: 7/22/2017 Int. No. 1225-A By Council Members Torres, Menchaca, Cohen, Richards, Chin, Rosenthal, Cabrera, Dromm, Koslowitz, Salamanca, Constantinides, Johnson, Garodnick, Van Bramer, Levin, Rose, Mendez and Kallos A Local Law in relation to requiring the department of health and mental hygiene to submit a plan for serving the behavioral health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning persons. Be it enacted by the Council as follows: Section 1. The department of health and mental hygiene, in consultation with the office of the mayor and other agencies, shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council by June 1, 2018 a plan for serving the behavioral health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) persons, including the needs of LGBTQ youth up to age 24 and elders over age 65 who reside in New York city. Such plan shall include discussion of how issues such as (i) coming out, (ii) homophobia and transphobia, (iii) depression, (iv) suicide risk, (v) alcohol and drug use, (vi) trauma including hate violence, (vii) sexual and intimate partner violence, (viii) sexual health, (ix) homelessness, and (x) bullying, affect LGBTQ persons in New York city, and shall describe how ongoing city initiatives seek to address such issues. In preparing such plan, the department shall also seek the advice of not-for-profit organizations with expertise in providing social and mental health services to LGBTQ persons. § 2. This local law takes effect immediately, and remains in effect until the submission of the plan due June 1, 2018, when it is deemed repealed.