Establishes a wound care kit and xylazine test strip distribution program to supply wound care kits designed for the treatment of injection-related wounds and skin and soft tissue infections, and xylazine test strips, to individuals with a substance use disorder or who are otherwise at risk of drug use, free of charge; prohibits facilities from collecting personally identifying information on such individuals; prohibits police from targeting individuals receiving wound care kits or xylazine test strips under such program.
This bill amends New York's education law to clarify supervision requirements for marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors. It specifies that applicants must complete 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience (for mental health counselors) or 1,500 client contact hours (for marriage and family therapists), all under qualified supervisors. Supervisors must hold at least 3 years of licensure, have diagnostic privileges, and complete 36 hours of continuing education in supervision ethics. The bill also allows the department to accept supervised experience obtained in waiver-exempt settings or under good-faith belief of proper authorization. These changes directly affect therapists seeking licensure and those providing supervision in mental health practice.
This bill amends New York's domestic relations law to guide judges in child custody cases. It requires courts to ignore the parents' sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression when deciding what is best for the child. Additionally, the law explicitly forbids judges from stopping a parent from undergoing gender reassignment as part of their custody determination. These changes apply immediately to ensure that custody decisions focus on the child's welfare without penalizing parents for their gender identity or medical transitions.
Relates to dispensing certain controlled substances for use by a person with a substance use disorder during certain emergency medical treatment, or to relieve acute withdrawal symptoms.
S 5860 modernizes New York's chiropractic practice laws by expanding what licensed chiropractors can legally do. The bill allows chiropractors to use diagnostic imaging (like X-rays), provide nutritional counseling, dispense approved supplements, and perform certain soft tissue treatments - previously restricted under older rules. It also authorizes chiropractic clinical assistants to support licensed practitioners under supervision. This directly affects chiropractors and their patients in New York, clarifying scope boundaries without permitting drug prescriptions or surgical procedures. The bill passed the Senate in June 2025 and is now pending in the Assembly's Higher Education committee.
This bill requires licensed cosmetologists and barbers to complete an eight-hour mental health first aid training program. The training teaches participants to recognize symptoms of mental health crises (like anxiety or depression), safely de-escalate situations, and refer clients to appropriate community resources. All current licensees and new applicants must complete this certified training to maintain or obtain their licenses. The law aims to enhance community safety by equipping beauty professionals - who interact closely with the public - with skills to support individuals in mental health distress.
S 4275 establishes new requirements for nursing home operators intending to close a facility, directly affecting residents, their families, and local communities. Operators must notify the Department of Health at least 90 days in advance and submit a detailed closure plan for approval, outlining how residents will be notified, assessed, and transferred to new settings. The bill prohibits operators from closing until all residents are relocated, increasing fees, or accepting new residents without disclosure during the closure process. Local officials can hold meetings and make recommendations to the Commissioner regarding the closure plan, which must be publicly available. Non-compliance with these provisions can result in penalties.
Relates to the construction of facilities for chemical dependence services that promote the privacy of individuals while bathing, sleeping, using restrooms and receiving individual counseling services, while also allowing for maximization of the use of such facility.
Provides additional protections for sensitive health information; requires all health information networks, electronic health record systems, and health care providers to provide patients with a right to restrict the disclosures of such patient's health information; defines terms; provides for exceptions.
Expands the health department's review of correctional health services by including a biennial study of health care staffing at facilities operated by the department of corrections and community supervision.
