On Friday, June 6, the New York State Assembly passed several pieces of legislation co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D–119. Each of these bills are aimed at strengthening public safety, community health and local services and each of these bills now await consideration in the state Senate.
The Lieutenant Joseph Banish Mental Health Act establishes a confidential peer support counseling program for law enforcement. It will promote mental wellness and reduce stigma among officers.
The legislation ensures that law enforcement personnel have access to trained peer counselors, fellow officers who can offer emotional support after exposure to trauma. It will maintaining confidentiality except when it poses a risk to safety.
This model, inspired by the bipartisan federal COPS Counseling Act, is designed to reduce stigma and increase access to support after critical incidents.
“Behind every badge is a human being carrying a weight most of us will never fully understand,” Buttenschon said. “Our officers face danger, trauma, and heartbreak daily, and they often do so in silence. This bill is about making sure that silence doesn’t become suffering.”
The act is named in honor of Lieutenant Joseph Banish, a New York State Trooper who died by suicide. His family has since dedicated themselves to mental health advocacy and this bill stands as a legacy
of hope, healing and proactive care in his name.
The peer support program if passed will be overseen by the Division of Criminal Justice Services. It ensures that police departments across the state can designate and train peer counselors while respecting the boundaries of privacy and legal obligations. The legislation also includes provisions for training, certification, and clarity on when disclosures are legally or ethically required.
“When we give our officers the tools they need to care for themselves, we’re strengthening the very
fabric of our communities,” Buttenschon said. “This bill represents our commitment to treat mental
wellness with the same seriousness as physical safety. I applaud the Banish family for their courage,
and I will continue advocating for legislation that uplifts those who protect us.”
The EMS Tax Cap Relief removes emergency medical services from the real property tax levy cap, empowering municipalities to better fund and support life-saving local EMS services.
“For far too long, our local EMS agencies have been expected to perform miracles with limited funding, shrinking staff, and growing demands,” Buttenschon said. “This bill ensures that municipalities can finally give these heroes the support they deserve, without being handcuffed by outdated fiscal restrictions.”
As someone who has walked alongside EMTs, volunteers, and fire service professionals, I know firsthand the unimaginable pressure they face. This legislation is not just about dollars, it’s about protecting lives.”
Communities across New York have struggled with EMS coverage due to rising operational
costs, low insurance reimbursements and staffing shortages. Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo introduced the bill, which directly addresses these challenges by removing EMS expenses from the property tax cap. This allows local governments greater flexibility to invest in equipment, training, wages and staffing without penalty.
“We owe it to every resident to ensure help arrives when they call 911,” Buttenschon said. “Today’s vote sends a clear message: we are not turning our backs on the people who rush toward danger. I am proud to have co-sponsored this bill because I believe in fighting for those who fight for us. Every heartbeat saved, every life stabilized, starts with the strength of our EMS system, and this law brings us one step closer to ensuring no one is left behind.”
The Cannabis Zoning Reform bill prohibits cannabis retail storefronts and on-site consumption licenses within 500 feet of schools and 200 feet of houses of worship, including in mixed-use buildings.
Buttenschon celebrated the measure’s passage as a commonsense step to preserve the character, safety, and sanctity of family-centered neighborhoods.
The legislation closes a loophole in existing cannabis law by ensuring that all entrances and exits of schools and houses of worship, especially those operating in shared-use buildings, are considered when determining
minimum distances from cannabis retailers.
“Our schools and houses of worship are anchors of our communities. They are places where our children learn, where families gather, and where people find support, reflection, and safety,” Buttenschon said. “This legislation affirms our shared values and ensures that as New York’s cannabis market expands, it does so responsibly, without infringing on the spaces that mean the most to our families.”
Mixed-use buildings, commonly found in urban and suburban settings, may contain a blend of businesses,
apartments, and community spaces such as classrooms or prayer halls. Prior law did not adequately account for these complex property types, creating inconsistencies in how distance buffers were enforced.
“This isn’t about stifling economic development, it’s about doing it the right way,” Buttenschon
said. “We must continue to strike a balance between public health, business opportunity, and the
moral responsibility we have to protect children and respect sacred spaces.”
The bill will apply to all cannabis licenses issued on or after the date the law takes effect.
