Daniel’s Law, named in honor of Daniel Prude who was killed by Rochester Police while having a mental health crisis, would make sure mental health crises are treated as a public health issue, not a public safety threat. Current state law allows police to intervene any time someone poses any “mental hygiene risk” to themselves – even when there is no public safety risk. Daniel’s Law changes this, so that emergency response plans will only be approved and funded where mental health experts and peers control the response to a health emergency, rather than police. The law would also build a meaningful mental health response system outside of the police and create councils of people with lived experience and mental health experts dedicated to the goals of de-escalation. 

Take Action: 

• Learn more about Daniel’s Law.  
• Contact your state legislators in support of Daniel’s Law here.