Healthcare

passed · New York · Assembly Apr 3, 2025

K 303: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025, as Co-Occurring Disorders Awareness Month in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution 303 requests Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025 as Co-Occurring Disorders Awareness Month in New York. The resolution highlights that co-occurring disorders - defined as the simultaneous presence of a mental health condition and substance use disorder - affect millions and can complicate diagnosis and treatment. It aims to increase public awareness and promote integrated care approaches for better health outcomes, citing statistics from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. This procedural resolution does not create new laws but encourages statewide recognition of the issue.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareResolution promotes awareness and integrated care for co-occurring disorders, advancing mental health service coordination and public health outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1118: Relates to increasing monetary penalties for public health law violations

This bill increases fines for violating public health laws. It raises penalties for nursing home and hospital operators from $3,000 to $5,000 per violation, with repeat offenses or violations causing harm now carrying up to $10,000 or $20,000 fines. Excess fines collected beyond $2,000 per violation go to a patient safety center, while nursing home fines over $10,000 fund quality improvement programs for nursing homes. The changes apply directly to healthcare facilities and their operators under New York's public health and social services laws.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases penalties for healthcare facility violations, directs excess fines to patient safety center and quality programs, strengthening enforcement and patient protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Long-Term Care Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2450: Relates to gaming disorders

S 2450 adds "gaming disorder" to the Mental Hygiene Law by defining it as addictive behavior meeting the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (ICD) criteria. This change directly affects individuals seeking mental health treatment for gaming-related issues and the healthcare providers who diagnose and treat such conditions under the law. The bill does not create new programs or funding but formally recognizes gaming disorder within existing mental health classification systems. It became effective immediately upon enactment after being referred to the Mental Health committee on January 17, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFormally recognizes gaming disorder in Mental Hygiene Law, expanding mental health service eligibility under existing framework without new funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7140: Creates substance use and fentanyl prevention and recovery resource materials for schools

Creates substance use prevention and recovery resource materials which include age-appropriate information on the risks of drug use, overdoses, fentanyl, including its high potency, the severe risks associated with its use, the prevalence of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, and the concept of fentanyl poisoning, and how to include resources from outside of the school district to improve instruction.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates school resource materials on substance use prevention, enhancing student health education and school-based instruction within educational programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates school-based substance use prevention materials addressing fentanyl risks, advancing public health initiatives through education and resource provision.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 738: Relates to women's health in correctional facilities

Relates to women's health in correctional facilities; establishes a women's health education program; requires HIV and STD testing to be offered to incarcerated individuals; provides pregnant incarcerated individuals with access to prenatal vitamins as well as a specialized diet tailored to pregnancy needs; requires a study and report on women's health in prison.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates healthcare access for incarcerated women, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform by improving correctional facility health services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires HIV/STD testing, prenatal vitamins, and specialized diets for incarcerated women, expanding healthcare access in correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 15, 2026

A 523: Directs the department of health to create a prescription drug inventory database

Directs the department of health to create a prescription drug inventory database that contains a list of all drugs designated as being currently in shortage by the federal food and drug administration's drug shortages database, and a list of pharmacies in the state where each such drug is currently in stock.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates database to track drug shortages and pharmacy stock, improving patient access to medications during shortages.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5842: Requires insurers to provide information on resources for insureds or enrollees recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease

This bill requires health insurers and health plans in New York to send written informational resources to individuals recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease within 60 days of learning of the diagnosis. It directly affects insureds and enrollees with new Alzheimer's diagnoses, mandating that the materials include evidence-based, culturally appropriate information about the disease and contact details for support organizations like the Alzheimer's Association. Insurers must deliver these resources by mail unless the individual consents to electronic delivery. The bill aims to ensure timely access to accurate disease information and support services without adding new requirements for healthcare providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to provide Alzheimer's resources, improving patient access to support services and information per bill requirements.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1230: Relates to HIV testing in certain criminal cases

This bill sets a 48-hour deadline for courts to order HIV testing in criminal cases where it's required. It mandates that the test must be performed within 48 hours of the court filing the accusatory instrument, and if not completed on time, the court must order a new test. Defendants must also be advised about HIV testing and treatment options per health department guidelines. The bill directly affects defendants in criminal cases where HIV testing is court-ordered, focusing on timely medical procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates timely HIV testing and defendant advisement, protecting civil rights in criminal proceedings per health guidelines.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates timely HIV testing and informs defendants of treatment options, protecting patient rights and improving access to healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1868: Provides for the authority of the department of health to engage in or support research on the health effects of artificial night light

This bill authorizes New York's Department of Health to conduct or fund research on how artificial night light affects human health, including potential links to increased breast cancer risk through melatonin suppression. It directly affects the Department of Health, giving it new authority to pursue this research within existing state and external funding. The key provision adds a specific research mandate to the Public Health Law, requiring the department to study health impacts using available funds from state, public, or private sources. The bill does not create new spending or change existing regulations, only expanding the department's research scope.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes NY Dept. of Health to research artificial light's health impacts, advancing public health knowledge and potential policy improvements through mandated research funding.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 6758: Requires practitioners to discuss certain risks with a patient who is being prescribed a controlled substance or an opioid analgesic

Requires practitioners to discuss certain risks with a patient who is being prescribed a schedule II controlled substance or an opioid analgesic; requires the department of health to develop practitioner guidelines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires risk discussions for opioid prescriptions, enhancing patient safety and informed consent per healthcare safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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