Healthcare

passed · New York · Senate Mar 4, 2026

S 8853: Relates to vaccines and immunizations of children

Requires the administration of certain vaccines for children in accordance with regulations issued by the commissioner, utilizing generally accepted medical standards and based on recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or other similar nationally or internationally recognized scientific organizations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school-required vaccines for K-12 attendance, ensuring student health and preventing disruptions to educational access as standard school policy.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates childhood vaccines per medical guidelines, advancing public health prevention standards and aligning with major medical organizations' recommendations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Children's Health Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 8652: Relates to access to and signage for lactation rooms in public buildings

This bill requires New York state public buildings to provide private lactation rooms for nursing parents, with specific features like privacy, lighting, and access to water and electricity. Buildings must display clear signage indicating lactation room locations and include these facilities in a public online directory updated every six months. Exemptions apply only if repurposing existing space would be unreasonably costly or if new construction is needed. The law directly affects nursing parents using state-owned public buildings, ensuring accessible facilities for breastfeeding or expressing milk.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates lactation rooms in public buildings, improving access for nursing parents and supporting maternal health services within public health programs.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 8, 2026

S 8744: Enacts the "age-friendly health system enhancement act"

Establishes an age-friendly health system technical assistance center to provide assistance in relation to age-friendly health systems; relates to hospital performance data.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes technical assistance center for age-friendly health systems, improving care quality for seniors and enhancing hospital performance data related to healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 8894: Establishes an awareness campaign on the use of hormone replacement therapy in treating the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause

This bill requires New York's state health department to create an awareness campaign about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for perimenopause and menopause symptoms. The campaign must provide clear information on symptoms, health risks, types of HRT (including benefits and side effects), and current medical recommendations. It directly affects individuals experiencing these symptoms by ensuring they receive evidence-based information to make informed health decisions. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment, mandating the campaign's implementation through necessary rule changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates evidence-based HRT awareness campaign to improve patient access to accurate health information for informed decisions, aligning with healthcare access and patient education indicators.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8695: Relates to joint certification of certified community behavioral health clinics

Provides for administrative review when applying for an additional certification by applicants to become certified community behavioral health clinics if such applicant is already certified by either the department of mental health or the office of addiction services and supports and is in good standing for five or more years.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines certification for existing behavioral health clinics, enabling expanded mental health service access without redundant processes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 14, 2026

A 9558: Relates to the statute of limitations for certain actions involving child abuse, medical neglect and medical negligence to minors; repealer

Provides that certain crimes of child abuse may be amended to give the plaintiff until they reach 55 years of age; provides that where acts or omissions giving rise to a claim and occurred in more than one jurisdiction, New York courts shall have jurisdiction where the plaintiff resided in this state for a substantial portion of childhood or received a substantial portion of the treatment or medical control in this state; voids any insurance policy which purports to exclude or limit coverage for certain claims where an action to recover damages for injury resulting from child abuse, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, medical neglect, or medical negligence committed against a person when such person was under eighteen years of age; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareVoiding insurance exclusions for medical negligence claims protects patient coverage access, directly advancing healthcare protection by preventing denial of care related to medical services.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 7, 2026

A 10074: Prohibits the use of the pesticide paraquat

This bill prohibits the use, sale, distribution, and purchase of all pesticides containing paraquat dichloride or its chemical forms (including specific salts like methyl viologen) in New York State. It directly affects farmers, agricultural businesses, and anyone using paraquat-based herbicides, banning all such products starting January 1, 2027. The law explicitly defines "paraquat" using chemical identifiers (CAS numbers) to cover all related formulations. It aims to protect New Yorkers from health risks linked to paraquat exposure, such as Parkinson's disease, as noted in scientific studies cited in the bill's findings. The ban takes effect before the EPA completes its ongoing risk review of paraquat.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans paraquat, a harmful pesticide linked to environmental and health risks, to protect public health and ecosystems, directly advancing pollution control and conservation goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill bans paraquat to protect public health, preventing toxin exposure linked to respiratory and neurological harm, aligning with public health program goals.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8713: Relates to certain crimes of interference with health care services or religious worship

Relates to the definition of "reproductive health services" for purposes of the offense of criminal interference with health care services or religious worship in the second degree; defines "legally protected health activity"; increases the penalties for the criminal interference with health care services or religious worship in the first and second degrees, and for aggravated interference with health care services in the second degree.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for interference with health care/services, making sentencing more severe. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators (increases penalties) and opposes criminal justice reform efforts.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases penalties for interfering with healthcare services, protecting access to care through criminal law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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passed · New York · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 8866: Establishes "The Equity in Fertility Treatment Act"; relates to the definition of infertility and health insurance coverage for the treatment of infertility

Establishes "The Equity in Fertility Treatment Act"; relates to the definition of infertility and health insurance coverage for the treatment of infertility.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates health insurance coverage for infertility treatment, expanding patient access to reproductive healthcare services per its title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · New York · Senate Jan 21, 2026

J 1374: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2026, as Mental Health Awareness Month in the State of New York

This Senate Resolution (J 1374) asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially designate May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month in New York State. It does not create new laws or programs but requests a symbolic proclamation to highlight mental health issues. The resolution cites statistics on untreated mental illness, youth mental health challenges, and suicide rates to emphasize the importance of awareness. The bill directly affects the Governor, who has the authority to issue such proclamations, but does not impose any legal requirements on state agencies or residents.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareResolution requests Governor to designate Mental Health Awareness Month, citing mental health statistics to promote awareness and services within healthcare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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