N.Y. Executive Law Section 837-Z
Law enforcement peer support program

1.

Definitions. As used in this section the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a)

“Law enforcement agency” means any department, division, agency, board, commission, or public authority of the state or any subdivision thereof that employs police officers.

(b)

“Police officer” means a police officer as defined in section 1.20 of the criminal procedure law.

(c)

“Peer support communication” includes:

(i)

an oral or written communication made in the course of a peer support counseling session;

(ii)

a note or report arising out of a peer support counseling session; or

(iii)

a record of a peer support counseling session.

(d)

“Peer support counseling program” means a program provided by a law enforcement agency that provides counseling services from a peer support specialist to a police officer of the law enforcement agency.

(e)

“Peer support counseling session” means any counseling formally provided through a peer support counseling program between a peer support specialist and one or more police officers.

(f)

“Peer support participant” means a police officer who receives counseling services from a peer support specialist.

(g)

“Peer support specialist” means a police officer who:

(i)

has received an approved training in peer support counseling, including providing emotional and moral support to police officers who have been involved in or exposed to an emotionally traumatic experience in the course of employment; and

(ii)

is designated by a law enforcement agency to provide the services described in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.

2.

Confidentiality. Except as provided in subdivision three of this section:

(a)

a peer support specialist shall not disclose the contents of a peer support communication to an individual who was not a party to such peer support communication; and

(b)

a peer support participant shall not disclose the contents of a peer support communication to anyone employed by the same law enforcement agency who was not originally a party to such peer support communication.

3.

Exceptions. A peer support communication shall not be confidential if:

(a)

it contains or reveals a specific threat of suicide, an expression of suicidal ideation, engagement in self-harm, or a threat of bodily harm or death, provided disclosure of such communication shall only be permitted for the purpose of preventing or mitigating such harm and is made to a person or persons reasonably in a position to provide assistance in preventing or mitigating such harm.

(b)

it contains an admission of criminal conduct; or

(c)

the peer support participant has provided consent for disclosure, which may be provided at any time, and the disclosure is consistent with such consent.

4.

Disclosure. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent or limit disclosure of the contents of a peer support communication where such disclosure is otherwise required by law, including, but not limited to:

(a)

mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse or maltreatment, in accordance with Social Services Law § 413 (Persons and officials required to report cases of suspected child abuse or maltreatment)section four hundred thirteen of the social services law; and

(b)

mandatory filing under article sixty-three-a of the civil practice law and rules relating to extreme risk protection orders; and

(c)

as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.

5.

Written notice. Before the initial peer support counseling session of a peer support participant, a peer support specialist shall inform the peer support participant in writing of the confidentiality requirement under subdivision two of this section and the exceptions to that requirement under subdivisions three and four of this section.

6.

Rules and regulations. The division shall identify and approve training courses that meet the division’s identified minimum standards and may promulgate rules and regulations necessary to effectuate this section. * NB Effective March 18, 2026

Source: Section 837-Z — Law enforcement peer support program, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/EXC/837-Z (updated Feb. 27, 2026; accessed Feb. 28, 2026).

835
Definitions 836
Division of criminal justice services 837
Functions, powers and duties of division 837–A
Additional functions, powers and duties of the division 837–B
Duties of courts and peace officers 837–C
Processing requests submitted by police departments 837–D
Soft body ballistic armor vests for police officers 837–E
Statewide central register for missing children 837–F
Missing and exploited children clearinghouse 837–F–1
Missing vulnerable adults clearinghouse 837–F–2
Missing adults 837–G
Livery vehicle safety training program establishment 837–H
Livery vehicle safety training program 837–I
Uniform parking ticket 837–J
Parking violations enforcement and disposition program 837–K
Safe house for children 837–L
Capital prosecution extraordinary assistance program 837–M
Reporting duties of law enforcement departments with respect to missing children and vulnerable adults 837–M*2
Criminal history records search for certain employment, appointments, licenses or permits in the city of New York 837–N
Criminal history information of caregivers 837–O
Search for arson and sex offense conviction records of volunteer firefighter applicants 837–P
Criminal history records search for certain licenses and registrations in the county of Westchester 837–Q
Payments to Westchester county for policing special parkways 837–R
Office of sex offender management 837–S
Search for sex offense conviction records of emergency medical technician and other first responder applicants 837–T
Use of force reporting 837–U
The division of criminal justice services, in conjunction with the chief administrator of the courts, shall collect data and report annua... 837–V
Report of discharge of weapon 837–V*2
Reporting duties of law enforcement departments with respect to arrest-related deaths 837–W
Technological viability of microstamping-enabled firearms 837–W*2
Blue alert system 837–X
Cooperation with certain out-of-state investigations 837–X*2
Cooperation with certain out-of-state investigations 837–Y
New York state office of gun violence prevention 837–Z
Law enforcement peer support program 838
Identification of unknown dead and missing persons 838–A
Maintenance of sexual offense evidence kits 838–B
Victim’s right to notice 839
Municipal police training council 840
Functions, powers and duties of council 841
Functions, powers and duties of the commissioner with respect to the council 841–A
Security guard advisory council 841–B
Functions, powers and duties of council 841–C
Functions, powers and duties of the commissioner with respect to the council 841–D
Saving clause 842
Council rules and regulations promulgated by governor 843
Division homepage on the internet 844–B
New York state committee for the coordination of police services to elderly persons 845
Central state registry of police officers and peace officers 845–A
Presentment of flags lowered to half-staff in memorial of the death of any police officer or peace officer 845–B
Requests for criminal history information 845–C
Criminal history record searches 845–D
Criminal record searches: reports for civil purposes 845–E
Commercial security tax credit program 846
Programs for the aging 846*2
Programs for the aging
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Verified:
Feb. 28, 2026

Last modified:
Feb. 27, 2026

§ 837-Z. Law enforcement peer support program's source at nysenate​.gov

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