On Tuesday, MHANYS held a press conference with fellow advocates and Tom O’Clair to mark the 20th anniversary of the enactment of Timothy’s Law, New York’s landmark mental health parity law. MHANYS was joined by Rep. Paul Tonko, the sponsor of Timothy’s Law, Asm. Simon, Chair of the Assembly Mental Health Committee, Sen. Fernandez, Chair of the Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorder, and Sen. Samra Brouk’s counsel and legislative director, Ernesto Porcari. Tom reminded us all of Timothy’s story and the passion it has provided all of these years to ensure fellow youth and all New Yorkers are able to access care for mental health and substance use disorders just as they are for physical health. Many of the leaders of our movement were in attendance and it was an incredible representation of the power of grassroots organizing and the leadership of one man, Tom O’Clair and a legislator in Paul Tonko who was a tireless advocate for the bill’s passage. I can safely say that after Tom and Congressman Tonko spoke, there was not a dry eye to be seen.
The press conference was also a reminder that even after twenty years, there is still much work to be done.
Joined by Inseparable, a national organization working in states to strengthen the mental health parity laws, the press conference provided an opportunity to highlight the incredible collective effort it took to pass one of the nation’s first mental health parity laws and the work that remains to strengthen the implementation of the law including oversight, accountability, and transparency. Before the end of the Legislative Session, we are seeking passage of The Protect Mental Health Act (S8426-A/A8839), which would codify federal mental health parity protections into New York State law.
Check out the press release below and the News 10/ABC report.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 26, 2026
CONTACT:
Inseparable@berlinrosen.com
Congressman Paul Tonko, Inseparable, and MHANYS Mark 20th Anniversary of Timothy’s Law,
Urge New York to Further Strengthen Mental Health Parity Protections
Albany, NY – On Tuesday, lawmakers and advocates commemorated the twentieth anniversary of Timothy’s Law and highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen and codify mental health parity protections in New York State during a press conference at the New York State Capitol in Albany. Rep. Paul Tonko, a representative from Sen. Samra Brouk’ office, and Asm. Jo Anne Simon joined Timothy O’Clair’s father, Tom O’Clair, as well as Paige Pierce of Families Together in NYS and advocates from Inseparable and the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS).
Passed in 2006, Timothy’s Law made New York one of the first states in the nation to require insurance companies to cover mental illness on par with physical illness and injury. The law was named in honor of Timothy O’Clair, a 12-year-old from Schenectady, NY who died by suicide after exhausting the mental health benefits on his family’s insurance plan. In the years that followed, his parents became leading advocates for fair mental health coverage.
“Twenty years ago, Timothy’s Law became a landmark victory for mental health parity as a result of the tireless advocacy of families, providers and champions who refused to accept unequal treatment for mental health care. I am deeply grateful to have worked alongside so many dedicated advocates to help secure that legacy, and we cannot allow the progress we made to be undone by federal efforts that weaken critical protections,” said U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20), original sponsor of Timothy’s Law during his time in the state legislature. “On this anniversary, we must recommit ourselves to ensuring every New York resident can access the mental health care they need, with the same dignity and coverage as any other medical condition.”
During the press conference on Tuesday, Tom O’Clair received a certificate of recognition from Governor Hochul honoring his role in advocating for Timothy’s Law and was awarded a proclamation from the State Senate for his years of service as well as from Asm. Simon of the State Assembly. Amid growing concern about federal rollbacks, lawmakers are working to codify federal parity protections into state law to safeguard access to care for millions of New Yorkers.
“Timothy’s Law has changed mental health care in not only New York State over the past 20 years, but it has also influenced coverage and delivery across the nation,” said Tom O’Clair, Timothy’s father. “It is essential, especially in these trying times, that access to insurance-covered mental health care be available, lest we have millions of people with nowhere to turn for care.”
“We come together today to proudly mark the 20th anniversary of New York State’s landmark mental health parity law — Timothy’s Law — a transformative piece of legislation named in honor and memory of Timothy O’Clair. This achievement was realized through the unwavering dedication and advocacy of Tom O’Clair and the members of the Timothy’s Law Campaign, who led a multi-year, statewide effort to secure equity for New Yorkers living with mental health and substance use disorders,” said MHANYS CEO and Co-Chair of the Timothy’s Law Campaign, Glenn Liebman. “The commitment and resolve that brought Timothy’s Law to life continues to inspire us today. The law has made a profound difference, removing barriers to care and providing hope for countless families and loved ones across our state. However, our work is not finished.”
“The Protect Mental Health Act builds on the legacy of Timothy’s Law,” said Abbie Hodgson, Vice President of State Affairs at Inseparable. “Twenty years after its passage, too many New Yorkers are still being denied or delayed care because insurance companies continue to put up barriers to treatment. By codifying federal mental health parity protections into New York law, this legislation will help ensure families can access the care they need, regardless of changes at the federal level.”
US Congressman Tonko, Abbie Hodgson (back row), Assemblywoman Simon, Tom O’Clair, and MHANYS CEO Glenn Liebman pictured with other mental health partners during today’s press conference in Albany.
About Inseparable
Inseparable is a national mental health advocacy organization founded on the principle that mental health is inseparable from physical health. Inseparable drives transformative change at the federal and state levels by engaging bipartisan policymakers, mobilizing support, and advancing mental health and substance use disorder policies that help people thrive. Inseparable works to expand access to care, promote youth mental health, improve crisis response, and strengthen the mental health workforce.
How Timothy’s Law Changed Mental Health Protocols in New York State
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — It’s been 20 years since Timothy’s Law passed in New York State, inspired by a 12-year-old Schenectady boy who died by suicide in 2001. His father, Tom O’Clair was joined by state and mental health leaders Tuesday, recognizing this moment, while pushing for more work to be done.
“Coming back to this hallowed hall, if you will, brings back a lot of great memories, a lot of sad memories, and it’s where I learned a lot,” said Tom O’Clair.
It’s where Tom O’Clair fought day and night for years to get Timothy’s Law passed. The law was inspired by his son Timothy, who died by suicide at only 12 years old in 2001.
“Timothy was a joy. He truly was. He was the youngest of three sons, and he was the funny one, well the funniest one I should say,” said O’Clair. “He had so many friends, so many classmates, that would cry on his shoulder or look to him to cheer them up when they were having a difficult time. All the while, suffering inside.”
When Timothy began struggling with his mental health, O’Clair said his family exhausted all of their insurance resources at the time, and fell short. After Timothy passed, O’Clair began a movement. He worked alongside Congressman Paul Tonko, who was an assemblymember at the time.
“I recall being on the steps of the front entrance to the assembly when we were all applauding,” said Tonko.
The impact of Timothy’s Law has been drastic. After it was signed in 2006, New York became one of the first states to require insurance companies to cover mental health in the same way as physical health or injuries.
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine in 2022, since then, Timothy’s Law has significantly increased inpatient mental healthcare utilization in New York’s hospitals. The numbers showed that from 2006-2007, those with serious mental health diagnoses were able to stay an average of seven days longer in the hospital, compared to similar patients in California.
However, part of the reason that mental health advocates and state leaders gathered at the New York State Capitol Tuesday, was to share that the fight is not over.
“The federal government has made it clear that they want to roll back all the gains of parity. The federal regulations that are due out in December will likely greatly weaken the law,” said Glenn Liebman, the CEO of Mental Health Association in New York State.
“I’ve written the president, demanding that we have full parity,” said Tonko.
Advocates shared that the goal is to codify federal parity protection into state law. Mental health advocates like Abbie Hodgson are also working on a continuation of Timothy’s Law that would solidify this cause even further. It’s called the Protect Mental Health Act.
“The Protect Mental Health Act goes a step further, and it holds insurance companies accountable for doing that,” said Hodgson.
Hodgson said that bill is expected to be voted on the Senator floor any day now. Other mental health advocates present Tuesday included Families Together in NYS and Inseparable; who are all advocates that believe in this cause.
“To Timothy. 20 years my friend. 20 years. You gave us a blessing,” said Tonko.
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