The New York City Council approved legislation on Thursday aimed at increasing oversight of the city’s mental health crisis response program, known as B-HEARD. The bill mandates that the mayor’s office provide regular reports detailing the program’s operations and outcomes. This move comes amid ongoing public concern over the handling of mental health emergencies by police.
B-HEARD was introduced as a pilot initiative to dispatch mental health professionals to crisis calls instead of uniformed officers. However, recent protests have highlighted instances where police responded with force during mental health emergencies, prompting calls for greater accountability and transparency.
Council members emphasized the need for data to evaluate the program’s effectiveness and ensure that it meets the community’s needs. The reporting requirements will include metrics on response times, call outcomes, and any use-of-force incidents related to mental health calls.
Mayor Mamdani’s office has yet to release a detailed response to the new reporting mandate. Advocates say that regular public updates will help build trust and provide a clearer picture of how New York City is addressing mental health crises outside of traditional policing.
The legislation represents a step toward reforming emergency response protocols in the city. It also reflects broader national conversations about the role of law enforcement in mental health interventions and the push for alternative crisis response models.
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