Healthcare (Medical Licensing)

in committee · New York · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 8335: Relates to enhancing the ability of the department of health to investigate, discipline, and monitor licensed physicians, physician assistants, and specialist assistants

Enhances the ability of the department of health to investigate, discipline, and monitor licensed physicians, physician assistants, and specialist assistants.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enhances Department of Health oversight of physicians and medical professionals, strengthening accountability and quality standards in healthcare delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3601: Relates to the certification of dietitians and nutritionists

S 3601 allows certified dietitians and nutritionists to order therapeutic diets - including specialized nutrition support like tube feeding - in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. The bill expands their scope of practice to include prescribing, managing, and monitoring these diets, removing prior requirements for physician orders. Facility medical directors or governing bodies must confirm the professional’s competency before they can provide these services. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands dietitians' scope to order therapeutic diets without physician orders, improving patient access to nutrition services in healthcare facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 4013: Relates to establishing a peer support program for veterans

S 4013 creates a state-funded peer support program for veterans, specifically targeting women veterans through regional or county-based services. It establishes credentialing requirements for veteran peer counselors (veterans with relevant training) and mandates state agencies to develop programs offering mental health support, substance abuse counseling, family services, and legal assistance. The bill requires the mental hygiene commissioner, addiction services agency, and veterans' services department to create training pathways and certification standards for peer counselors. This policy directly affects veterans seeking mental health and substance use support by connecting them with certified peers who share military service experience.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly establishes state-funded peer support program requiring budget allocation for veteran services, aligning with funding public services under Budget & Taxes topic.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates state-funded mental health support services for veterans through peer programs, directly advancing healthcare access and mental health services as specified in indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates state-funded peer support program for veterans with mental health, substance abuse, and legal services, mandating agency implementation for veteran care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Substance Abuse Veteran Education Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2025

S 756: Requires insurance contracts to cover neuropsychological examinations for dyslexia

Requires insurance contracts to cover neuropsychological examinations for dyslexia when performed by a health care professional licensed, certified, or authorized pursuant to title eight of the education law and acting within their scope of practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for dyslexia neuropsychological exams, expanding access to necessary healthcare services for patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5559: Establishes a credentialing pilot program for direct support professionals

Bill A 5559 establishes a pilot program to credential direct support professionals (DSPs) who work with individuals receiving care in state-operated and not-for-profit facilities. The program aims to professionalize the DSP field by promoting career advancement, developing advanced skills, and enhancing workforce recruitment and retention. It includes a credentialing and education program, along with comprehensive training that may feature online modules and mentorships. An advisory council, comprising DSPs, providers, and self-advocates, will oversee the program's implementation. The Office is required to report on the pilot's effectiveness by November 2028, including recommendations for a potential statewide credentialing program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes DSP credentialing to professionalize workforce, improve care quality, and enhance retention in healthcare settings, aligning with support indicators for workforce development.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill promotes career advancement and workforce retention for direct support professionals, aligning with employment standards by enhancing job quality and recruitment through credentialing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1259: Relates to the practice of physicians licensed in another state or territory of the United States pursuant to a reciprocal agreement

Authorizes physicians licensed in another state or territory of the United States to practice time-limited follow-up care via telehealth in NYS pursuant to a reciprocal agreement; requires annual authorization.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes out-of-state physicians to provide telehealth follow-up care, expanding patient access to medical services across state lines without requiring full licensure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Telehealth

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7169: Establishes protocols for the handling of stillbirths by healthcare facilities and establishing a stillbirth research database

This bill requires New York healthcare facilities providing birthing services to implement specific protocols when a stillbirth occurs. It mandates facilities to assign a primary physician to communicate with families, provide bereavement support (including memory boxes with keepsakes like handprints and photographs), and offer sensitive counseling. The bill also establishes a confidential state database collecting anonymized stillbirth data - including maternal health history, fetal evaluation details, and autopsy findings - to identify causes and prevention strategies. All collected data will be publicly accessible on the health department website in non-identifiable form, while facilities must comply with these protocols as a condition of licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates bereavement support, counseling, and data collection for stillbirth care, enhancing patient support and research in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3285: Allows a licensed pharmacist to order and administer certain tests

This bill allows licensed pharmacists in New York to order and administer specific diagnostic tests, directly affecting pharmacists and patients seeking convenient testing. It authorizes pharmacists to perform FDA-authorized tests for conditions like COVID-19, flu, RSV, strep throat, HbA1c, hepatitis C, and HIV. The law expands pharmacists' scope of practice to include these tests under federal "waiver" requirements, without requiring additional physician oversight. The provision expires on July 1, 2028, as noted in the bill's text.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacist scope for diagnostic tests, improving patient access to convenient testing without physician oversight, directly advancing healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5604: Allows for reasonable accommodations for the examination portion of licensure requirements to become a social worker for individuals for whom English is not their primary language

Allows for reasonable accommodations for the examination portion of licensure requirements to become a social worker for individuals for whom English is not their primary language and a test in their primary language is not available.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves language barrier for social workers, improving access to healthcare services for non-English speaking communities and supporting healthcare workforce diversity.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves language barrier for social worker licensure, enabling non-English speakers to access employment opportunities and advancing workers' rights in employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Professional Licensing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 5, 2026

A 1942: Makes conforming changes reflecting the previously authorized scope of practice of nurse practitioners

Makes conforming changes reflecting the previously authorized scope of practice of nurse practitioners; adds nurse practitioners as persons who can authorize or make certain determinations authorized to be made or determined by physicians.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands nurse practitioner authority to make medical determinations, improving patient access to care without physician oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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