Healthcare

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 309: Sets standards for addiction professionals

This bill establishes standards for addiction professionals in New York by defining the term "addiction professional" and requiring minimum qualifications for licensure. It mandates that professionals complete approved training in trauma-informed care, co-occurring disorder treatment, and sensitivity training, with specific requirements for services related to substance use disorders and compulsive gambling. The Office of Addiction Services and Supports will issue licenses, credentials, and authorizations, create a credentialing board, and set fees, while ensuring services are accessible regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. These standards directly affect addiction counselors and the patients they serve, aiming to improve service quality and patient rights.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes training standards for addiction professionals, enhancing mental health service quality and public health program standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Substance Abuse

Track

failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4244: Allows for principals to be remanded into custody for drug treatment where there is a risk of continued substance abuse

Allows for principals to be remanded into custody for drug treatment where there is a risk of continued substance abuse or the use of an opioid antagonist was required.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill redirects offenders to drug treatment instead of incarceration, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform elements.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates drug treatment for substance abuse instead of incarceration, directly supporting healthcare access for addiction treatment through opioid antagonist use.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 9, 2025

S 1318: Relates to the continuation of the empire state stem cell board

This bill makes the Empire State Stem Cell Board permanent, ending its previous expiration date of December 31, 2025. The board, which manages a state trust fund for stem cell research, oversees grants for scientific research in stem cell biology. It directly affects research institutions and scientists receiving these grants. The change ensures ongoing funding for stem cell research without time limits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePermanently funds stem cell research grants, advancing medical treatments and healthcare innovation through sustained state trust fund support.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7527: Creates a distinctive parking placard to allow midwives to park closer to patients' homes in order to provide swift care

Bill S 7527 proposes to create a distinctive parking placard for duly licensed midwives. This placard would allow midwives to park their vehicles in "no parking" zones, but not "no stopping" or "no standing" zones, for up to one hour while attending to a patient in the immediate vicinity. The aim is to provide quicker access and swift care to patients. Midwives would apply for the placard, verify their license annually, and pay an initial service charge.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables midwives to access patients faster via parking exemptions, improving healthcare access and delivery speed.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1487: Relates to vision screening examinations for students

Requires vision screening examinations for students using examination devices and testing methods, including, but not limited to, the Snellen Eye Test Chart and automated vision screening devices.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates vision screenings for students, supporting early detection of vision issues that impact learning access and educational outcomes in K-12 settings.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school vision screenings, a preventive healthcare service, improving early detection and access to vision care for students.85% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3245: Changes the default standard on statutory health proxy forms regarding life-sustaining treatment standards

This bill (A3245) amends New York's health proxy laws to clarify when an agent can make decisions about artificial nutrition and hydration. It directly affects individuals who create health care proxies (advance directives) and their designated agents. The key change specifies that if a person's wishes regarding artificial nutrition/hydration are unknown, the agent "shall not have authority" to decide on these life-sustaining treatments. The bill also updates definitions to explicitly include hydration/nutrition under "health care" and adds instructions for proxy forms about these measures. These changes apply to all existing and future health care proxies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies health proxy rules to prevent agents from deciding on artificial nutrition/hydration without patient wishes, protecting patient autonomy in healthcare decisions.90% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1461: Relates to the use of psychotropic medications in nursing homes and adult care facilities

Relates to the use of antipsychotic medications in nursing homes; imposes limits as to time and documentation; requires informed consent under certain circumstances.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires informed consent and limits antipsychotic use in nursing homes, protecting patient rights in mental health care.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1812: Relates to traffic ticket liability for midwives

This bill creates an exception for licensed midwives who receive traffic tickets while responding to emergency medical situations. It establishes a legal presumption that midwives aren't liable for certain traffic violations (like running red lights via photo enforcement, speeding, or violating bus lanes) if they provide an affidavit confirming they were in an emergency at the time. The bill requires midwives to submit this affidavit or equivalent proof at a traffic hearing to avoid penalties. It directly affects licensed midwives operating vehicles during urgent medical responses, modifying how traffic violations are adjudicated for this specific profession.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects midwives (healthcare providers) from traffic penalties during emergencies, enabling faster response to medical situations and supporting healthcare access.85% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5476: Establishes a statewide youth mental health and social media campaign to promote public awareness of the impacts of social media usage on mental health

Establishes a statewide youth mental health and social media campaign to promote public awareness of the impacts of social media usage on mental health; requires a course of study on social media usage for all students.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates mental health awareness campaign and mandates social media education, directly supporting youth mental health services as part of healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Apr 16, 2026

S 5444: Establishes protections for the rights of pregnant students, parenting students, and students with pregnancy-related conditions in schools

Establishes protections for the rights of pregnant students, parenting students, and students with pregnancy-related conditions in schools; requires schools to establish liaison officers for such students and to disseminate information relating to resources available to such students; directs that rules be established to administer such rights and to establish minimum periods of time for a leave of absence at the student's option.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects pregnant/parenting students' rights in schools, requiring liaison officers and resource dissemination, aligning with educational access and safety protections.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates school resources for pregnancy-related health conditions, improving access to healthcare services for students.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Women's Health

Track