New York rethinks mental health crisis response six years after Daniel Prude’s death
By Tandy Lau
Published on March 26, 2026.
Six years ago, Daniel Prude, an African American man from Chicago, died of suffocation when police restrained him during a mental health call in Rochester, New York. The death inspired the creation of Daniel’s Law, a bill that encourages local governments to develop civilian response teams to respond to mental health calls without causing a public safety risk. The bill, introduced by State Sen. Samra Brouk in 2022, uses the Oregon-based CAHOOTS as a model. The state has granted funding towards three pilot programs in New York State, splitting $6 million between the City of Rochester, Central Nassau Guidance andCounseling Services, and Children's Home of Jefferson County. The State Senate's "One House" budget resolution proposes another $15 million towards expanding Daniel's Law pilots.
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