Healthcare

Senate Resolution 1244 establishes the allocation plan for state funds supporting community adult and youth mental health programs during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The plan must be approved by the temporary president of the Senate and the budget director, then passed by a majority vote in the Senate, and must either list specific grantees with their funding amounts or detail the allocation method. It directs funds to local agencies and non-profits providing services like crisis intervention, behavioral care, and outpatient support, including specific allocations such as $150,000 to JCCA EDENWALD INC and $50,000 to Aisling Irish Community Center. The resolution also allows suballocations to state offices, such as $95,000 to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Westchester.

This bill amends Senate Resolution R1397 to allow the suballocation or transfer of funds originally appropriated for human services and veterans community services organizations between agencies (like the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the Department of Veterans' Services). It requires any reallocation plan to include either an itemized list of grantees with specific amounts or a clear methodology for distributing funds. Such plans must be approved by the Senate Temporary President, Budget Director, and a majority vote of all senators via roll call. The bill directly affects community organizations receiving these funds, as it modifies the process for how their grants are allocated and approved.

Requires the department of health to establish a registry for the collection of information on the incidence and prevalence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and motor neuron disease (MND) in the state; requires that every physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant and general hospital that diagnoses or treats a patient diagnosed with ALS or MND give notice to the department of cases of ALS or MND coming under their care; requires that patients diagnosed with ALS or MND be provided with written and verbal notice regarding the collection of information and patient data on ALS and MND and provides a method for patients to opt out of the collection of data; provides for duties of the department and the commissioner of health in relation thereto.

This bill (S 7451) prohibits judges from banning parents from undergoing gender-affirming care during child custody decisions. It directly affects parents involved in custody cases by requiring courts to disregard a parent's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression when determining a child's best interests. The law adds a specific provision to domestic relations law stating courts "shall not prohibit a party from undergoing gender reassignment" and must not consider gender identity factors. If passed, it would prevent courts from restricting a parent's access to medical care related to their gender identity as part of custody rulings. The bill is currently in the Assembly Judiciary committee after passing the Senate.