Section 730 mental health restoration costs
Summary
Counties must pay for court-ordered psychiatric placement of inmates found incompetent to stand trial — $1,571 a day at Marcy, with five cases now and an estimated $2.6 million exposure for 2026. Staff are pursuing alternatives and NYSAC-backed legislation to cap costs.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 20, 2026.
Impact analysis
The $97,000 amendment is just the start — total costs could reach $2.6 million this year if other options aren't found.
The county budget gets some protection if staff can negotiate alternatives and state law changes.
County taxpayers bear the full cost of an expensive state mandate.
Mentions & discussions (3)
County Legislature — October 20, 2026
County officials discussed the growing cost of housing state inmates undergoing competency restoration — about $41,180 per month per person — and efforts by county executives statewide to push New York to limit restorations to 60-90 days.
County Legislature — August 25, 2026
New York bills counties 100% for residents committed to state forensic mental health facilities — one individual racked up a $116,304 bill in three months. The county plugged the $97,157 shortfall with fund balance.
County Legislature — August 18, 2026
Counties must pay for court-ordered psychiatric placement of inmates found incompetent to stand trial — $1,571 a day at Marcy, with five cases now and an estimated $2.6 million exposure for 2026. Staff are pursuing alternatives and NYSAC-backed legislation to cap costs.
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