Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is proud to announce that legislation he co‑sponsored, bill A.6721, has been signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The measure enacts the Lieutenant Joseph Banish Mental Health Act, establishing a formal peer‑to‑peer mental health support program for police personnel across New York state.

The legislation honors the memory of Lt. Joseph Banish, a state trooper who tragically died by suicide. His family has honored his memory by advocating for programs that provide officers with the tools and support they need to address mental health challenges.

“Maintaining the mental health of law enforcement officers is critical for their own well‑being and for the safety of the citizens they serve,” said Ra. “The overwhelming trauma and grief that often follow imminent danger, violence and loss are well documented. When those experiences are not processed, they can disrupt every area of life. Peer counseling by a trained fellow officer offers an immediate and trusted resource for those struggling with trauma and grief.”

The law provides confidentiality protections consistent with other mental health services in New York, while clearly defining exceptions to confidentiality in cases involving court orders, criminal activity, threats of harm to self or others, suicide or child abuse and neglect. This balance expands confidential mental health services for law enforcement while also protecting public safety. The bill is modeled after the federal COPS Counseling Act, passed with bipartisan support in 2021, which provides confidential peer support services to federal law enforcement officers.