The task force formed in the wake of Daniel Prude's death has released its recommendations to improve the response to behavioral health calls in New York.

In 2020, Prude died of asphyxiation while in Rochester police custody during a mental health incident.

One of the key recommendations of the Daniel’s Law Task Force is to establish a protocol that when someone calls 911 or 988 about a mental health crisis or substance abuse issue a team specifically trained in crisis services responds. The report suggests law enforcement only get involved if there is a threat of violence.

In terms of rollout, the task force proposed pilot programs in small and large cities as well as rural areas to develop sustainable models.

It also recommends creating a technical assistance center on the state level to support local communities. The center would collaborate with the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services the state Emergency Medical Services Council, as well as local 988 call centers. The goal would be for the center to provide training on the local level to implement best practices and monitor how effective the protocols are.

These recommendations come after several listening sessions with New Yorkers as well as input from experts across North America. 

“The task force recommendations reflect the exhaustive efforts taken to develop a robust behavioral health crisis response model that will better serve our communities statewide,” Office of Mental Health Commissioner and task force Chair Dr. Ann Sullivan said in a statement. “This report provides a roadmap for building a trauma-informed response and diversion system that will help communities effectively respond to individuals in crisis. I would like to expressly thank all the task force members for their extraordinary commitment to this process.”

The task force's full report can be found here.