This bill amends multiple New York State laws to replace the terms "addict" or "addicts" with "person with substance use disorder" or a similar phrase throughout legal texts. It specifically updates references in the judiciary law (affecting court proceedings), mental hygiene law (governing treatment programs), and public health law (regarding controlled substance dispensing). The change applies to all relevant legal documents, including those describing mental health hearings, treatment eligibility, and medication administration protocols. This terminology shift aims to reduce stigma by using person-centered language consistent with modern healthcare and legal standards. The bill was signed into law as Chapter 511 on November 21, 2025.
This bill (S 3236) allows registered pharmacy technicians to work in any licensed pharmacy under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. It permits technicians to assist with tasks like preparing, labeling, and dispensing prescriptions or medications - provided these tasks require no professional judgment (which remains the pharmacist's responsibility). The law requires pharmacists to be physically present during these tasks, authorize all work, and approve it before any medication is dispensed. The pharmacy must also ensure technicians receive proper training before they begin assisting. The bill is now law (signed November 21, 2025).
Requires hospitals to permit an interpreter to remain with a deaf, hard of hearing or nonverbal patient during admission to a hospital until appropriate hospital staff is assigned to interpret.
This bill requires health insurance policies to cover medically necessary transvaginal ultrasounds during pregnancy when recommended by established medical guidelines. It directly affects insured pregnant individuals and insurers by mandating this coverage under specific conditions. The law defines "nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines" as evidence-based standards developed by independent medical organizations with transparent processes. The requirement applies to all new or renewed policies issued on or after January 1, 2027.
This bill requires most health insurance plans to cover contraceptive services provided by pharmacists without cost-sharing. It mandates coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptives (including over-the-counter options), emergency contraception, patient counseling, and follow-up care like device insertion/removal. Plans must allow dispensing up to 12 months of contraceptives at once and reimburse pharmacists the same rate as other healthcare providers. The law applies to group/blanket health insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, directly affecting insured individuals and pharmacists providing these services.
This bill repeals a requirement in New York's public health law that previously mandated healthcare providers to report patients' drug use to authorities. It directly affects healthcare practitioners who no longer must report such information under this provision. The bill removes this specific reporting obligation with no new mechanisms or provisions added. As a procedural repeal, it solely eliminates the existing legal requirement without creating new policies. The bill was enacted after passing both legislative chambers and receiving the Governor's signature in October 2025.
This bill (2027) requires that medical evaluations determining a person's eligibility for assisted living must be completed within 30 days before their admission date. It directly affects individuals applying for assisted living facilities by mandating recent assessments to confirm their physical, supervisory, and psycho-social needs can be met. The key provision specifies that evaluations must be signed by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. This change ensures assessments are current and relevant at the time of admission, replacing previous requirements with a strict 30-day window. The law became effective immediately upon the governor's signature (Chap. 444).
Prohibits correctional facilities from denying entry to peer support advocates who are certified or licensed and are participating in the provision of corrections-based substance use disorder treatment and transition services based on such advocates' prior history of incarceration.
This bill removes a New York state law that previously prohibited transplant patients from being listed on waiting lists at multiple organ procurement organizations. It directly affects patients awaiting organ transplants who may now be eligible for placement on waiting lists at different facilities within New York. The key change eliminates the specific ban (previously in Public Health Law §4363) that prevented patients from having multiple listings simultaneously. This amendment updates organ allocation rules to allow patients to potentially access multiple transplant programs without violating state policy. The law took effect immediately upon signing on October 16, 2025.
Authorizes the commissioner of health to approve certain reimbursement rates for certain programs established by not-for-profit and public skilled nursing facilities in upstate New York nursing home regions that are designed to work collaboratively on efforts to improve nursing home efficiency, staffing, and quality of care.
