Overview
The Behavioral Health Services Advisory Council (BHSAC) is authorized by Chapter 56 of the Laws of the State of New York to advise OMH & OASAS on issues relating to the improvement and integration of behavioral health services in New York including issues of joint concern and issues related to the delivery of behavioral health services that are responsive to local, state and federal concerns.
The BHSAC also reviews applications filed in accordance with the Mental Hygiene Law for the approval of the incorporation, establishment and/or construction of certain facilities which require approval from either/both agencies.
Treatment Equity Committee
Chapter 4 of the Laws of 2022 was signed into law by Governor Hochul, creating the Committee for Treatment Equity within the Behavioral Health Services Advisory Council.
The Committee for Treatment Equity is tasked with examining the substance use disorder system for purposes of:
- Identifying stakeholders and working collaboratively to set priorities to achieve treatment equity in racially and ethnically diverse regions of the state and among vulnerable populations throughout the state;
- Analyzing data to identify the root causes of treatment inequities in racially and ethnically diverse regions of the state and among vulnerable populations throughout the state;
- Recommending strategies to overcome substance use treatment inequities;
- Promoting community engagement; and,
- Reviewing the impact of current laws, rules, regulations, policies and programs impacting the ability to achieve treatment equity.
Upcoming Meetings
2025 Meetings
February 26, 2025, 9 a.m.
- The Treatment Equity Committee begins at 9:00 a.m.
- Project Review and Regulations Committees begin at 10:30 a.m.
- Full Council Meeting begins at 1p.m.
- Project Review/Full Council Meeting Live Stream Link for Feb. 26, 2025
- Treatment Equity/Regulations Live Stream Link for Feb. 26, 2025
Meeting Locations
- Albany (Office of Mental Health): 44 Holland Avenue, Albany, NY 12229
- New York City (Office of Mental Health): 330 Fifth Avenue – 9th Floor New York, NY 10001
- Rochester (Strong Behavioral Health): 300 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester, NY 14642
- Watertown (Northern Regional Center for Independent Living): 210 Court Street, Suite 107, Watertown, NY 13601
Meeting Materials
- Meeting Agenda for February 26, 2025
- Part 830
- Part 857
- Part 527
- Part 551
- OASAS Project Agenda
- OASAS Projects
- OMH Project Agenda
- OMH Projects
May 7, 2025
July 9, 2025
September 10, 2025
December 10, 2025
Past Meetings
2024 Meetings
December 4, 2024 Project Review Committee Meeting
Video: December 4, 2024 Project Review Committee Meeting
Regulations
Projects
September 11, 2024
Meeting Materials
- Meeting Agenda for September 11, 2024
- Part 830
- OMH Projects for September 11, 2024
- OASAS Projects for September 11, 2024
- Video: September 11, 2024 Meeting
July 15, 2024
Meeting Materials
- Regulations Committee Meeting (See June 26, 2024 Meeting below)
June 26, 2024
Meeting Materials
- Meeting Agenda for June 26, 2024
- OMH Projects for June 26, 2024
- OASAS Projects for June 26, 2024
- Video: June 26, 2024 Project Review Committee Meeting
May 1, 2024
Meeting Materials
February 28, 2024
Meeting Materials
- Full BHSAC Agenda for February 28, 2024
- Treatment Equity Itinerary for February 28, 2024
- OMH - Part 588 Regulation
- OMH - Part 599 Regulation
- OASAS - Part 819 Regulation
- OASAS - Part 860 Regulation
- OMH Projects for February 28, 2024
- OASAS Projects for February 28, 2024
January 4, 2024
Meeting Materials
- Regulations Committee Meeting Agenda for January 4, 2024
- Part 582 Regulations
- Part 580 Regulations
- Part 590 Regulations
2023 Meetings
December 6, 2023
Meeting Materials
- Video: Project Review Committee and Full Council Meeting
- Video: Treatment Equity Committee and Regulations Committee
- Meeting Agenda for December 6, 2023
- OASAS Project Updates
- OMH Project Updates
- Workforce Recruitment and Retention Update (PPT)
- Treatment Equity Committee Update
- Update for Equity Committee
- Project Review Meeting Minutes for October 16, 2023
OMH Regulations
October 16, 2023
- Video: Project Review Committee Meeting
- Meeting Agenda for October 16, 2023
- OASAS Projects
- OMH Projects
- OMH Project Review Agenda
September 21, 2023
Please note: This meeting was cancelled.
Public Participation
The Council welcomes interested observers at its meetings and the meetings of its committees.
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Guidance for Public Participation
BHSAC meetings are open to the public in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. To make these meetings as productive as possible, the Council has established certain guidelines as it pertains to public participation.
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What's Related
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About the BHSAC
Description of the Council's membership, roles, and responsibilities as defined by statute.
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Contact BHSAC
For further information contact Patricia Bowes, Office of Mental Health, Director of Intergovernmental Relations.
Contact us by email:
Mailing Address:
New York State Office of Mental Health
44 Holland Avenue, Albany, NY 12229