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Nova ScotiaBill 37First Reading

Bill 37: Mental Health Bill of Rights

Sponsor: Lisa LachanceIntroduced February 25, 2025Checked September 4, 2026
Read the official textOfficial version — Nova Scotia House of Assembly

What this bill does

This Nova Scotia private member's bill establishes a Mental Health Bill of Rights, entitling individuals with mental disorders or psychological distress to dignified, timely, and evidence-based care, while requiring the provincial government to meet WHO funding benchmarks and coordinate mental health services by 2027.

Plain-language summary by Legisail — not legal advice.

Business impact

Compliance
This bill primarily affects Nova Scotia's healthcare and social services sector — including private counsellors, addiction treatment centres, community mental health organizations, and non-profit support service providers — rather than general businesses directly. Organizations delivering mental health, addictions, housing, or family support services may see restructured funding streams, new coordination requirements, and increased demand as the government expands the 'missing middle' service tier. Employers across all industries could indirectly benefit from improved employee mental health access, potentially reducing absenteeism and productivity losses. The bill's compliance obligations and funding mandates fall on government departments, not on private businesses, so direct regulatory burden on business owners is minimal.

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Where this bill is

First ReadingFebruary 25, 2025
Next: Second Reading debate

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At a glance

Bill number
NS-037
Type
Private Member's Public
Jurisdiction
Nova Scotia
Session
65-1
Official record