N.Y. Executive Law Section 170-J
Mental health references contained in state and municipal forms


No form, preprinted document, other public-facing document, training material, agency guidance, or manual utilized by a state agency, public authority or municipality shall use the term “emotionally disturbed person” to identify or denote a person experiencing emotional distress or an emotional or mental health crisis. All forms or preprinted documents, other public-facing documents, training materials, agency guidance or manuals utilizing such term shall be amended to replace the term “emotionally disturbed person” with the term “person experiencing an emotional crisis”. * NB Effective September 26, 2026

Source: Section 170-J — Mental health references contained in state and municipal forms, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/EXC/170-J (updated Oct. 3, 2025; accessed Jul. 25, 2026).

161
Certain searches, the filing of papers, and certified copies, ordered by state officers to be gratuitous
162
Contracts for professional services of state and municipal employees
163
Contracts for services of state agencies
163–A
Contracts with Green Thumb Environmental Beautification, Incorporated
164
Reports by and to the department
164–A
Report and publication economy regulations
164–B
State aid to rural areas: agency reports
164–C
Printing cost reduction notices
164–D
Availability of application forms
165
Commission on uniform state laws
166
Record of appearances
167
Advertising and publicizing summer camps cited as subversive
168
Notices to attorneys at law by state bodies or officers
168–A
Designation of days of commemoration
169
Salaries of certain state officers
170
Audit of agencies by the state comptroller
170–A
Celebration of Rosa Parks
170–B
Employee loans
170–B*2
Racial references contained in state and municipal forms
170–C
Regulatory penalties for small businesses
170–D
Disclosure of disabled tenants’ rights
170–E
Disclosure of lawful source of income rights to prospective tenants
170–E*2
Collection of demographic information
170–F
Website accessibility
170–G
Collection of demographic information
170–H
Additional collection of demographic information
170–I
Gender-based violence and the workplace
170–J
Mental health references contained in state and municipal forms
170–K
Local cops, local crimes act
171
Discovery and disposition of human remains and funerary objects

Verified:
Jul. 25, 2026

Last modified:
Oct. 3, 2025

§ 170-J. Mental health references contained in state & municipal forms's source at nysenate​.gov

Link Style