Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 9036: Creates a department of health education and outreach program on reproductive health services

Creates a department of health education and outreach program on reproductive health services for consumers, patients, educators, and health care providers related to reproductive health services available in New York state including, but not limited to: access to family planning services such as contraceptives and pregnancy testing, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates department for reproductive health education/outreach, expanding access to contraceptives, STI testing/treatment, directly advancing healthcare access and services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 28, 2026

A 9501: Relates to procedures for protections of legally protected health activities

Specifies that professional liability insurance insurers cannot deny coverage or increase rates solely based on legal use or prescription of certain gender-affirming care-related drugs; prescribes procedures for warrants issued in other jurisdictions for electronic data related to legally protected health activities; provides for additional procedural methods for protection of legally protected health activities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurers from denying coverage/increasing rates for legally prescribed gender-affirming care, directly protecting patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prescribes warrant procedures for electronic data related to health activities, protecting data privacy (a technology topic).80% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8683: Establishes a medical cost-of-living adjustment and utility bill relief for senior citizens based on documented medical necessity

Establishes a medical cost-of-living adjustment and utility bill relief for senior citizens based on documented medical necessity; provides that any gas or electric corporation operating within the state shall, in coordination with the department and the office of temporary and disability assistance, establish a medical cost-of-living adjustment program for residential customers aged sixty-five years or older who incur documented medical expenses necessary to maintain or preserve life or basic bodily function.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides utility bill relief for seniors with documented medical expenses, reducing financial barriers to healthcare access and addressing medical necessity directly.92% confidence

Tags Seniors

Track

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9491: Relates to cases terminated due to mental disease or defect and to establishing reporting obligations regarding such cases

This bill (A 9491) requires courts and mental health institutions to coordinate discharge planning for defendants in criminal cases terminated due to mental disease or defect. It mandates that courts order referrals to community services (when clinically appropriate and with consent) and dismiss charges upon termination, while institutions must track referrals and submit de-identified annual reports to state officials. The mental hygiene law office must publish annual public data on defendant outcomes, including admission rates, discharge planning, and referral patterns. The bill directly affects defendants in such cases, courts, mental health facilities, and state agencies, without altering eligibility for services or requiring referrals where consent is absent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates community referrals for mental health cases, reduces recidivism by improving rehabilitation, and aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates coordination between courts/institutions for mental health discharge planning and community referrals, strengthening continuity of care for mental health patients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8709: Includes certain willful representations by physicians, physician's assistants, and specialist's assistants

Includes certain willful representations made by physicians, physician's assistants, and specialist's assistants to patients and clients, or relating to patients' and clients' private health information, as professional misconduct.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill defines false health info representations by providers as misconduct, protecting patient rights and data integrity in healthcare delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track