Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 3051: Relates to setting integrated behavioral health services

Authorizes the commissioner of the office of mental health, and the office of addiction services and support to jointly establish a single set of licensing standards and requirements for the construction, operation, reporting and surveillance of integrated behavioral health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes unified licensing standards for outpatient healthcare centers, strengthening regulatory framework for mental health/addiction services under health departments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5103: Permits facilities to be dually licensed under the office of mental health and the office of addiction services and supports

This bill creates a new dual licensing program for facilities serving both mental health and addiction treatment needs. It allows facilities to obtain licenses simultaneously from both the Office of Mental Health and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, rather than seeking separate licenses. The key provision requires the two commissioners to jointly develop this licensing program through new rules and regulations. This change directly affects facilities providing integrated mental health and addiction services, streamlining their regulatory process.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables integrated mental health/addiction services via dual licensing, improving patient access to combined care without separate licensing barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1029: Directs the commissioner of health to conduct a study to identify, analyze, report, and medically combat new or previously unseen opiate/opioid compounds found in overdose patients in New York state

Directs the commissioner of health to conduct a study to identify, analyze, report, and medically combat new or previously unseen opiate/opioid compounds found in overdose patients in New York state for the purpose of establishing more efficient overdose medical treatment protocols.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs study to combat opioid compounds and establish better overdose treatment protocols, enhancing public health response and medical care protocols.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6554: Relates to funds received pursuant to a New York opioid settlement sharing agreement

This bill requires New York state agencies receiving opioid settlement funds to submit annual public reports detailing how these funds are spent. The reports must include baseline funding data, specific recipient information (including program details and populations served), the criteria for awarding funds, and evidence-based analysis of program effectiveness in reducing substance use disorders. It also prohibits government entities from pursuing legal claims against companies released under the statewide opioid settlement agreement after June 2021. All reports must be published as a public dashboard on government websites by November 1st each year.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires evidence-based programs for substance use disorder reduction, aligning with criminal justice reform by promoting treatment over incarceration and reducing recidivism through rehabilitation-focused funding.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transparency in opioid settlement fund usage for substance use disorder programs, ensuring effective public health spending on healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3351: Adds tianeptine sodium to the list of Schedule II of controlled substances

This bill adds tianeptine sodium to New York's Schedule II controlled substances list, which includes drugs with high abuse potential but recognized medical uses (like certain opioids). It directly affects healthcare providers who prescribe it, pharmacies that dispense it, and patients who use it, requiring stricter controls such as special prescriptions and recordkeeping. The law amends the public health law to include tianeptine sodium in Schedule II, aligning its regulation with other high-risk medications. The change takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts healthcare access by imposing Schedule II controls on tianeptine sodium, requiring special prescriptions and recordkeeping for providers and patients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7409: Includes all FDA approved forms and doses of Naloxone as opioid antagonists in the state definition of opioid antagonists

Includes all FDA approved forms and doses of Naloxone as opioid antagonists in the state definition of opioid antagonists; requires the department of health to approve all forms and doses of Naloxone approved by the FDA as opioid antagonists.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to FDA-approved Naloxone for opioid overdose reversal, strengthening public health response to opioid crisis95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 1578: Establishes the Sickle Cell Treatment Act

This bill establishes the "Sickle Cell Treatment Act" to improve care for sickle cell disease patients in New York. It designates five "centers for excellence" (with two north of Putnam/Orange counties) and ten outpatient treatment centers based on patient populations, providing each center with annual funding ($500,000 for excellence centers, $250,000 for outpatient centers) to support specialized care, research, and equipment. The bill also modifies opioid prescribing rules to exempt sickle cell disease patients from a three-month opioid limit, ensuring they can receive necessary pain management without restrictive barriers. These changes directly affect hospitals designated as centers, sickle cell patients requiring specialized care, and healthcare providers managing chronic pain.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds specialized sickle cell centers with $500k/$250k annual grants, directly expanding targeted healthcare access and research for a critical condition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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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 May 4, 2026

A 9010: 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 HealthcareMandates risk discussions for opioid prescriptions, enhancing patient safety and informed consent - directly protects patient rights in healthcare delivery.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5490: Allows persons in recovery to have a distinguishing mark printed on their license for cases of medical emergencies

This bill (S 5490) allows individuals in drug or alcohol recovery to request a special "R" indicator on their driver's license when renewing or applying for a new license. The "R" mark would alert medical professionals during emergencies that the driver is in recovery, without requiring additional fees beyond standard license costs. It directly affects people in recovery who choose to opt-in, providing a clear identifier for healthcare providers in medical situations. The bill makes this option available through standard license application processes with no new requirements for state agencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows medical professionals to quickly identify patients in recovery during emergencies, improving emergency care access and patient safety without additional costs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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