Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4445: Enacts the "Jamie Rose care provider act"

This bill requires health care facilities (excluding hospitals) like home care agencies, hospices, and health maintenance organizations to create written policies for identifying, assessing, and referring suspected domestic violence victims. It mandates staff training for clinical and security personnel and directs facilities to coordinate with local domestic violence victim assistance organizations. Facilities must inform victims about available support services and arrange for advocates if requested. The law applies directly to covered health care providers and their staff, aiming to improve response to domestic abuse cases within these settings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates health care facilities to assist domestic violence victims, aligning with victim protection in criminal justice reform.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates healthcare facilities to implement domestic violence protocols, enhancing patient safety and access to support services within healthcare settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Long-Term Care

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in committee · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 5229: Provides for rates for residential health care facilities

This bill updates how New York state calculates payment rates for residential health care facilities (like nursing homes) that provide long-term care. It requires the state to adjust rates annually based on current operating costs, with mandatory updates by April 2026 and every five years after, using the most recent cost data. Certain specialized facilities (such as those for children, ventilator-dependent patients, or behavioral health) retain historical rates adjusted for inflation, while others transition to the new cost-based system over a minimum four-year period. The bill also mandates a workgroup of experts to advise on rate-setting methodology and includes provisions for quality improvement funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates annual rate adjustments for nursing homes based on operating costs, ensuring facilities receive adequate funding to maintain services and prevent underfunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4348: Relates to requiring hospitals to provide forms in Punjabi

This bill requires hospitals in New York to provide medical forms and printed health information in Punjabi when a patient requests it. It directly affects hospitals (all facilities covered under public health law) and patients who need materials in Punjabi. The key provision mandates translation of any form given to or signed by a patient upon their request. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment. It does not apply to all forms universally, only when a patient specifically asks for Punjabi translation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to provide medical forms in Punjabi upon patient request, improving language access and patient communication in healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3173: Relates to clarifying which entities handle the reporting of pregnancy loss

Relates to clarifying which entities handle the reporting of pregnancy loss; the responsibilities of health care providers and penalties for not protecting the identities of individuals who suffered a pregnancy loss.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates healthcare providers to protect patient identities in pregnancy loss reporting, safeguarding patient privacy rights within healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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died · New York · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1683: Enacts the "public university emergency contraception education act"

Enacts the "public university emergency contraception education act" requiring public universities to develop, produce and distribute informational materials related to emergency contraception.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates public universities to distribute emergency contraception educational materials, expanding access to health education resources under higher education, directly supporting educational access.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires public universities to distribute emergency contraception education materials, improving access to reproductive health information and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 269: Provides for enrollment in medical assistance programs for incarcerated individuals

Provides for enrollment of eligible incarcerated persons in the medical assistance for needy persons program; provides for enrollment of incarcerated individuals in other medical assistance programs, where eligible.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides medical assistance enrollment for incarcerated individuals, improving correctional healthcare and aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands healthcare access for incarcerated individuals by enabling enrollment in medical assistance programs, directly advancing coverage for a vulnerable population.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 3486: Relates to providing information to patients and the public on hospital rule-based exclusions

Relates to providing information to patients and the public on hospital rule-based exclusions; requires the commissioner of health to collect from each hospital a list of its hospital rule-based exclusions and publish such information on the department's website.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transparency on hospital exclusions, enabling informed patient decisions and protecting rights through public disclosure of coverage barriers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2202: Relates to the use of topical pharmaceutical agents

Amends the definitions of diagnostic pharmaceuticals, topical therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents for treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension as they relate to the certification to use therapeutic drugs in the practice of optometry.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAmends optometry certification to allow use of glaucoma treatments, improving patient access to eye care services85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3474: Enhances the assisted outpatient treatment program and eliminates the expiration and repeal of Kendra's Law

Bill S 3474 enhances New York's Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program, commonly known as Kendra's Law, by strengthening oversight and eliminating its scheduled expiration to ensure the program continues without interruption. The bill adds specific requirements for program coordinators to monitor treatment compliance, coordinate services with community providers, and review clinical needs before court orders expire, while mandating community service directors to conduct timely investigations and document processes. It also requires the state to create an educational pamphlet explaining the AOT petition process in plain language for the public. This bill directly affects individuals under court-ordered AOT, mental health program staff, and the public seeking information about the program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances AOT program (Kendra's Law) to improve treatment compliance, reduce recidivism, and prevent criminal justice system involvement through strengthened oversight and permanent funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enhances mental health services by strengthening AOT program oversight, eliminating expiration, and ensuring continuous care for patients under Kendra's Law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3835: Creates an educational pamphlet regarding the importance of prostate-specific antigen testing

This bill requires New York's health commissioner to create an educational pamphlet explaining prostate cancer symptoms, risk factors, detection methods (including PSA testing accuracy), insurance coverage for screening, and treatment options. The pamphlet must be written in plain language, available in English and six common non-English languages, and provided free to healthcare providers. Providers may then give it to adult patients with a prostate who are at risk for prostate cancer or have been diagnosed, to help inform their treatment decisions. The bill does not mandate specific medical actions but ensures accessible information is available.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates educational pamphlet on PSA testing including insurance coverage details, enhancing patient access to screening information and promoting preventive care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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