Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6942: Requires heart examinations for public school students

Requires heart examinations for public school students and a statement on whether the student is fit to participate in physical education or other athletic activities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires school-based heart screenings, a preventive public health measure improving early detection of cardiac issues in students.85% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4178: Establishes a workgroup to conduct analysis on the ambulatory patient group rates and commercial insurance rates for behavioral health services

S 4178 creates a workgroup to analyze reimbursement rates for behavioral health services under Medicaid and commercial insurance. The workgroup, including providers, insurers, consumers, and experts, will study current rates versus actual care costs and develop recommendations for fairer payment models. It specifically focuses on clinics licensed under mental health laws (Articles 31/32) and child health programs, requiring a final report to lawmakers by October 1, 2027. This bill does not change current rates but sets up a review process to inform future policy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes workgroup to analyze and improve reimbursement rates for behavioral health services, aiming for fairer payment models to strengthen mental health provider access and coverage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid Mental Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6807: Provides for the employment of mental health professionals by school districts

This bill requires all New York public school districts (except New York City) to employ certified school psychologists and licensed school social workers to provide mental health services. It amends education law to mandate these professionals as part of required school mental health services, including evaluations, assessments, and interventions for students' mental health needs. The law specifies these roles must be in addition to staff required under federal special education law (IDEA), directly affecting every public school district and all students attending those schools. The bill defines the scope of services, including confidentiality protocols and school environment recommendations, without altering existing health service requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school districts to hire certified mental health professionals, expanding student support services without reducing existing staff per IDEA requirements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates school districts to employ mental health professionals, expanding student access to mental health services per summary, directly supporting mental health care provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education Student Health Mental Health

Track

passed · New York · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 1619: Allows a licensed pharmacist to order and administer certain tests

This bill allows licensed pharmacists to order and administer specific medical tests, including COVID-19, flu, RSV, strep throat, HbA1c, hepatitis C, and HIV tests, all authorized by the FDA. It directly affects pharmacists (expanding their clinical role) and patients (increasing access to convenient testing). The law requires tests to meet FDA authorization and federal "waiver" requirements, aligning pharmacists with qualified health professionals under existing public health law. The bill modifies prior 2022 legislation but includes a sunset provision, with most provisions set to expire on July 1, 2028.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacist clinical role to increase patient access to FDA-authorized testing, improving healthcare access and convenience per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 20, 2025

S 254: Relates to the hospitalization, care coordination, and assisted outpatient treatment for persons with mental illness by qualified clinical examiners or qualified mental health professionals

Relates to the hospitalization, care coordination, and assisted outpatient treatment for persons with mental illness by qualified clinical examiners or qualified mental health professionals; defines qualified clinical examiner and qualified mental health professional.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes framework for mental health treatment access, care coordination, and outpatient services, directly advancing mental health care expansion and patient access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 7713: Restricts the use of automatic license plate reader information

Prohibits automatic license plate reader users from selling, sharing, allowing access to, or transferring automatic license plate reader information to any state or local jurisdiction for the purpose of investigating or enforcing a law that denies or interferes with a person's right to choose or obtain reproductive health care services or any lawful health care services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement data use to protect reproductive health care access, aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prohibits using license plate data to enforce laws restricting reproductive healthcare access, directly protecting patient rights in healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts sharing of ALPR data to prevent misuse in health care enforcement, directly strengthening data privacy protections under technology policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health Consumer Data Protection

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4650: Relates to mental health certificates

Provides that a mental health certificate shall be requested from each student at the same time health certificates are required; provides that an assessment and mental health history of any child may be requested by the local school authorities at any time in their discretion to promote the educational interests of such child; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires mental health assessments to promote educational interests, enhancing student support programs within schools.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health assessments for students in schools to promote educational interests, supporting mental health service access and integration into student well-being programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Testing & Assessment Mental Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8850: Relates to circumstances under which a consumer may be subject to a new special open enrollment period to choose a new health insurance plan

Allows for a new special open enrollment period to choose a new health insurance plan for consumers in certain instances to allow for continuity of care with an existing health care provider.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables special enrollment for continuity of care with existing providers, improving patient access to consistent healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5208: Requires general hospitals to have a registered professional nurse as a member of the governing entity responsible for developing a general hospital's strategic plan, structure, systems, policies and programs

Requires general hospitals to have a registered professional nurse as a sitting and voting member of the governing entity responsible for developing a hospital's strategic plan, structure, systems, policies and programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandating nurse representation in hospital governance directly improves clinical decision-making and patient care quality, aligning with healthcare protection and advancement indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3903: Relates to including certain out of home services such as transition from a hospital, nursing facility or other institutional setting to the home within home care insurance coverage

Includes certain out of home services such as transition from a hospital, nursing facility or other institutional setting to the home within home care insurance coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands home care insurance coverage to include post-hospital/nursing facility transition services, improving patient access to care after institutional stays.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Long-Term Care

Track