Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1270: Requires high schools to carry and have a trained employee to administer opioid antagonists

This bill requires all New York high schools to keep opioid overdose-reversal medication (like naloxone) on hand and designate at least one trained staff member to administer it during all school hours and after-school activities. Schools must ensure the medication is accessible and that at least one employee has completed a state-approved training course on its use. The law applies directly to high schools and their designated staff, mandating immediate availability of the medication for emergencies. It does not change existing health protocols but adds a specific requirement for opioid overdose response in school settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates schools to provide naloxone access and staff training for opioid overdose emergencies, directly enhancing public health emergency response in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7298: Includes ambulance services to the emergency room as part of emergency services for the purposes of surprise bills

This bill amends New York's financial services law to explicitly include ambulance services to an emergency room as part of "emergency services" for surprise billing protections. It requires health insurance plans to cover non-participating ambulance providers' emergency services (including ambulance rides to the ER) without charging patients more out-of-pocket than they would with a participating provider. The law prohibits ambulance providers from billing patients for costs beyond standard copays, coinsurance, or deductibles. It also extends these protections to mobile crisis intervention services provided by licensed mental health or addiction services providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prevents surprise billing for ambulance services to ER, ensuring patients pay no more than with in-network providers. Directly protects patient financial rights in healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 762: Requires all colleges with onsite housing to provide and maintain opioid antagonists

This bill requires all New York colleges with on-campus housing to provide and maintain opioid antagonists (medications like naloxone) for emergency use. It mandates that resident assistants receive training on administering these medications and that supplies be accessible in all college-owned housing buildings. The policy directly affects colleges, resident assistants, and students/staff who may experience an opioid overdose on campus. It specifies that colleges must stock sufficient quantities approved by the health commissioner, ensuring immediate access during emergencies without requiring prior history of opioid use.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires opioid antagonists (naloxone) in college housing for overdose emergencies, improving access to life-saving treatment and aligning with public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1815: Requires health insurers to provide coverage for non-opioid treatments utilized for pain management

Requires health insurers to provide coverage for non-opioid treatments utilized for pain management including, but not limited to a drug or biological product that is indicated to produce analgesia without acting upon the body's opioid receptors that has demonstrated the ability to replace, reduce, or avoid opioid use or the quantity of opioids prescribed; or an implantable, reusable, or disposable medical device for the intended use of managing or treating pain that has demonstrated the ability to replace, reduce, or avoid opioid use or the quantity of opioids prescribed.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for non-opioid pain treatments, expanding patient access to opioid alternatives and reducing opioid reliance per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8352: Requires insurance coverage of outpatient problem gambling services

This bill requires health insurance companies to cover outpatient treatment for problem gambling as part of substance use disorder services. It applies to all medical, major medical, or comprehensive insurance policies sold in New York. The law mandates that coverage for problem gambling cannot have stricter financial limits (like higher copays) or treatment restrictions than those applied to standard medical or surgical care. This ensures gambling treatment is covered on par with other medical services without additional barriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for problem gambling treatment as part of mental health services, ensuring parity with medical care and expanding access to behavioral health treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 5969: Creates the substance use disorder treatment bill of rights to be posted in a conspicuous place in all treatment facilities

S 5969 requires all substance use disorder treatment facilities to post a "treatment bill of rights" in visible locations and provide a copy to every patient at admission. This bill of rights outlines 10 specific patient rights, including the right to participate in treatment planning, receive clear explanations of services, maintain privacy, and report grievances. It directly affects patients receiving treatment and facility staff, who must also receive copies of the document. The law mandates these postings and distributions without altering existing treatment standards, focusing solely on transparency and patient awareness.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes patient rights in substance use treatment facilities, directly supporting rehabilitation programs and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of improving treatment quality and patient autonomy.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires treatment facilities to post patient rights including participation, privacy, and grievance reporting for substance use disorder care, directly protecting patient rights in mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3120: Provides reimbursement for transportation to and from inpatient and outpatient diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorder

This bill requires health insurance plans covering hospital or major medical services to reimburse transportation costs for both inpatient and outpatient treatment of substance use disorder. It applies to all such insurance policies and mandates that transportation coverage cannot have stricter financial rules than those for standard medical care. The bill also ensures inpatient coverage includes unlimited medically necessary residential treatment for substance use disorder without restrictive limits. This directly affects insurance companies (by requiring new coverage) and people seeking substance use disorder treatment (by reducing transportation barriers).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance reimbursement for substance use disorder treatment transportation, expanding coverage access without stricter financial rules than standard care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 11, 2025

S 3362: Repeals section 3372 of the public health law

New York's S 3362 repeals Section 3372 of the Public Health Law, which previously required healthcare practitioners to report patients' drug use to authorities. This change directly affects doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who previously had this reporting obligation. The bill removes the specific legal requirement for practitioners to document and submit such information about patient substance use. The repeal simplifies administrative duties for healthcare providers but does not alter other patient privacy protections or drug-related regulations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepealing mandatory drug use reporting removes a barrier to patient-provider trust, aligning with patient rights protection in healthcare policy as per the topic description.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3742: Requires high schools to carry and have a trained employee to administer opioid antagonists

This bill (A 3742) requires all high schools to keep opioid antagonists (like naloxone) available for emergency overdose treatment and to have at least one trained employee present during all school hours and after-school activities. The law mandates schools to acquire the medication, designate a staff member who completed approved training in its use, and ensure that employee oversees storage and administration. It directly affects high schools, students, and staff by establishing a concrete protocol for responding to opioid overdoses on school grounds. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment and does not include exemptions for school activities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates schools to stock naloxone and train staff for opioid overdose emergencies, directly strengthening public health response and student safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · New York · Assembly May 12, 2026

A 2300: Creates the substance use disorder treatment bill of rights to be posted in a conspicuous place in all treatment facilities

This bill requires all substance use disorder treatment facilities in New York to prominently post a "treatment bill of rights" for patients. It directly affects patients receiving treatment and the facilities providing those services. The law mandates facilities to display the bill of rights - including key patient rights like the right to participate in treatment planning, receive clear explanations of services, maintain privacy, and be free from discrimination - and provide a copy to each patient at admission. The bill also requires facilities to give staff copies of these rights. This creates a standardized, visible framework for patient protections in substance use disorder treatment settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates posting patient rights (participation, privacy, non-discrimination) in substance use disorder treatment facilities, directly protecting patient rights in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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