Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 5, 2025

S 802: Requires the commissioner of health to consult with the office of addiction services and supports to publish certain guidance on maternal depression screenings

Requires the commissioner of health to consult with the office of addiction services and supports and relevant stakeholders as determined by such commissioner in addition to the office of mental health to publish guidance for incorporating maternal depression screenings into routine prenatal care; changes the effective date to eighteen months.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates guidance for maternal depression screenings in prenatal care, enhancing mental health support within healthcare services95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5538: Enhances the assisted outpatient treatment program and eliminates the expiration and repeal of Kendra's Law

This bill strengthens New York's Kendra's Law (assisted outpatient treatment program) by making it permanent and adding specific oversight requirements. It requires program coordinators to monitor treatment compliance, ensures timely service delivery, and mandates an educational pamphlet explaining the petition process in plain language. The law directly affects individuals court-ordered into outpatient treatment for serious mental illness, community mental health providers, and court staff handling petitions. Key changes include eliminating the program's automatic expiration and clarifying duties for directors of community services to investigate reports and coordinate care.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens Kendra's Law (assisted outpatient treatment) to improve mental health care for court-ordered individuals, reducing recidivism and supporting rehabilitation within criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens Kendra's Law (mental health assisted outpatient treatment program) by making it permanent, adding oversight, and ensuring timely service delivery, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 3207: Establishes maximum contaminant levels and a hazard index in drinking water for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Establishes maximum contaminant levels in drinking water for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); sets such levels at no higher than 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and no higher than 10 parts per trillion (ppt) for perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA).

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill sets strict PFAS limits (4-10 ppt) in drinking water, directly strengthening environmental protection standards for water quality and public health by reducing toxic contamination.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets strict PFAS limits in drinking water to prevent health risks, aligning with public health protection in healthcare policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 264: Designates unlawful discriminatory practices relating to persons recovering from substance use disorder

S 264 prohibits government agencies in New York from denying employment to job applicants solely because they are recovering from a substance use disorder. It directly affects state and local government employers (including departments, schools, and correctional facilities) and job seekers in recovery. The law defines "substance use disorder" per existing mental health law and explicitly bans employment discrimination based on recovery status. This creates a clear, immediate legal standard for government hiring practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits employment discrimination against people recovering from substance use disorder, aiding reintegration and reducing recidivism in correctional systems.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits employment discrimination against individuals recovering from substance use disorder, protecting health-related rights under mental health law per bill's definition.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBans employment discrimination against individuals recovering from substance use disorder, directly protecting workers' rights in hiring practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Substance Abuse Employment Discrimination

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6537: Relates to automatic eligibility for early intervention services for children found to have elevated venous blood lead levels

This bill automatically qualifies children with elevated venous blood lead levels (at or above 5 mcg/dl) for early intervention services by adding this condition to the legal definition of "disability" in public health law. It directly affects young children under three years old who are identified with lead levels meeting this threshold during medical screenings. The key mechanism amends Public Health Law to include elevated blood lead levels as a qualifying condition, eliminating the need for separate evaluations to access services. This change ensures children exposed to lead - known to cause developmental delays - receive timely support without administrative barriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAutomatically qualifies children with lead poisoning for early intervention services, expanding access to critical healthcare without additional barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 8477: Establishes a women veteran's peer to peer program

Bill A 8477 establishes a peer-to-peer support service program specifically for women veterans. It amends the veterans' services law to mandate coordination with various state agencies, including the office of mental health and the department of labor, for the development and implementation of this program. The bill also adds the establishment of this program as a new, specific function under the veterans' services law. This initiative aims to provide targeted support services tailored to the unique experiences of women who have served in the military.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCoordinates with mental health office to provide peer support for women veterans, directly supporting mental health services per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a new peer-to-peer program for women veterans, amends veterans' services law to mandate agency coordination, and creates targeted support services under veterans' law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 7859: Relates to the authority of certain existing assisted living programs to expand capacity by nine or fewer beds under an expedited process

Senate Bill S 7859 authorizes certain existing assisted living programs to add up to nine new beds through an expedited approval process. These additional beds must be dedicated to serving individuals who receive medical assistance. To be eligible, programs must be in good standing with the Department of Health and comply with state and local requirements. The bill sets specific application periods for providers licensed by various dates up to April 1, 2024, and mandates that the Commissioner of Health certify additional beds within 90 days of receiving a satisfactory application.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands assisted living capacity for medical assistance recipients via expedited process, improving access to healthcare services for vulnerable populations.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5203: Requires insurers which issue contracts providing long term care benefits to maintain records of policies cancelled due to increased premiums

Requires insurers which issue contracts providing long term care benefits to maintain records of policies cancelled during each year and requires that such records indicate which policies were cancelled due to, or within thirty days after, an increase in policy premiums.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to track premium-related cancellations, promoting transparency to protect consumer access to long-term care coverage and prevent unfair policy terminations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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died · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 5701: Requires the department of corrections and community supervision to establish discharge plans and reentry services for wrongfully convicted individuals upon their discharge

Requires the department of corrections and community supervision to establish discharge plans and reentry services for wrongfully convicted individuals upon their discharge which includes housing needs, educational needs, employment needs, medical needs, and specific social service needs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires comprehensive reentry services for wrongfully convicted individuals, directly promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through housing, employment, and medical support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly requires addressing 'medical needs' in reentry services for wrongfully convicted individuals, ensuring healthcare access upon release.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5464: Relates to reimbursements practices of pharmacy benefit managers

Amends provisions governing reimbursement practices of pharmacy benefit managers to ensure that pharmacies are not reimbursed an amount less than the cost of procuring the drugs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures pharmacies are reimbursed at drug cost, preventing reduced access and protecting patient affordability in medication coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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