The use of Kendra’s Law is increasing throughout the state, though Sen. George Borrello has questions about its lack of use among the homeless populations in the state.

Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, asked Dr. Ann Marie Sullivan, state mental health commissioner, about the use of Kendra’s Law during a recent joint legislative budget hearing. Kendra’s Law is named in honor of Kendra Webdale of Fredonia, New York, who was tragically killed by a man with a long history of schizophrenia in a subway-shoving incident in New York City in 1999. She was a friend and schoolmate of Borrello’s during their years at Fredonia High School.

Last year, Borrello and former state Sen. Diane Savino secured changes to Kendra’s Law as part of the 2025-26 state budget that include a provision stating people who cannot provide for themselves, for their medical care, personal safety, food, clothing and shelter due to mental illness should be able to be cared for under Kendra’s Law.

“My concern is this,” Borrello said while addressing Sullivan. “The current mayor is saying he’s not going to do anything about homeless encampments, those that meet the qualifications of Kendra’s Law are obviously not being cared for. They’re a danger to themselves and others. And this is not just happening in New York City. We have other communities in New York state with homeless encampments, which are in direct violation of this have become an issue. … So my question is what are you going to do to endure that Kendra’s Law is used effectively and that we can actually get these people the help they need.”

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said the city will only force the homeless off the streets with involuntary commitment under Kendra’s Law as a last resort while also ordering police and sanitation workers to stop tearing down homeless encampments. Sullivan responded to Borrello by saying the state has support teams that work with the homeless in the subways and on the streets. Those teams can bring those individuals to an emergency room if they fit the definitions in Kendra’s Law but can’t be convinced to take advantage of help that is available to them.

Shortly after the changes to Kendra’s Law were announced there was hope it could make it easier for local officials to help the homeless. While the state helps with street outreach in New York City, much of that work in Jamestown is done by volunteers through the Chautauqua County Homeless Coalition. The homeless coalition organizes a variety of different groups from the area including their very own Chautauqua Opportunities Inc. These outreach teams go out and visit encampments, or unhoused individuals and groups, to inform them of services that are available. Currently, there are about 10 agencies from across the county that are involved in the street outreach initiatives. These organizations include Chautauqua County Mental Hygiene, Chautauqua Opportunities Inc., Evergreen Health Services, the Mental Health Association, Recovery Options Made Easy, Safe Point Lighthouse, the Salvation Army, Southern Tier Environments for Living, UCAN City Mission, and the Veterans Affairs of Western New York.

Sullivan said that often extending help to the homeless doesn’t require the use of Kendra’s Law.

“But often you can do the engagement without doing that,” Sullivan said. “When you need to, we will be continuing to do everything we have done. We have over 4,400 Kendra’s Law orders each year, and over the past two years those have gone up by 8%. So we are doing more Kendra’s Law orders than we were before.”

Borrello asked how outcomes are across the state after the approval of changes to Kendra’s Law. Sullivan said homelessness has decreased by 60% across the state, hospitalizations have decreased by 70% and threats of violence have decreased by 60%.

“The outcomes for Kendra’s Law continue to be effective,” Sullivan said.