Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8618: Enacts the "behavioral health transportation access act"

Enacts the "behavioral health transportation access act", in relation to establishing a transportation assistance voucher demonstration program for certain outpatient mental health and substance use disorder services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes transportation vouchers for outpatient mental health/substance use disorder services, directly improving patient access to care as per healthcare topic definition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 20, 2026

A 9321: Relates to supervision by certain marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors

This bill sets new requirements for who can supervise mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists in New York. It specifies that supervisors must have at least three years of active licensure, diagnostic privileges, and 36 hours of specialized training in supervision ethics. The bill also clarifies that supervised experience gained under certain department waivers - such as in settings operating under temporary authorization - can count toward licensing requirements. These changes apply directly to professionals seeking licensure and those providing supervision in the mental health counseling field.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets higher standards for mental health supervisor qualifications (3yrs licensure, ethics training), improving service quality and client safety in mental health counseling.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8599: Relates to certain crimes of interference with health care services or religious worship

Relates to certain crimes of interference with health care services or access to places of religious worship; expands interference to include groups of two or more people demonstrating or preparing to demonstrate twenty-five feet outside of reproductive health care facilities and places of religious worship.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of protests near health care/religious sites, increasing penalties for assembly outside facilities per bill's scope.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill criminalizes interference with reproductive health care access, protecting patient access to health services at facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9409: Establishes an intensive addiction recovery and mental health integrated services pilot program

Establishes an intensive addiction recovery and mental health integrated services pilot program to support two three-year demonstration programs that provide intensive addiction and mental health integrated services to individuals with significant addiction and mental health issues who have had multiple and frequent treatment episodes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates pilot program for integrated addiction/mental health services, directly expanding access to critical care for underserved populations with significant treatment needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 15, 2026

A 9318: Increases taxes imposed on alcoholic beverages

Increases taxes imposed on alcoholic beverages; authorizes twenty percent of tax revenues to be allocated to the New York state drug treatment and public education fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes excise tax on alcohol sales to fund drug treatment and public education programs, directly advancing fiscal allocation for essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects alcohol tax revenue to drug treatment fund, funding public health initiative related to healthcare services.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 23, 2026

A 9355: Requires hospitals to report cases of poisoning to the regional poison control center

This bill requires all hospitals to report every case of poisoning to the regional poison control center. The specific details of how and when these reports must be submitted will be determined by future regulations issued by the health department. The law will not take effect immediately but will begin ninety days after it is officially signed into law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates hospital reporting of poisoning cases to health authorities, enhancing public health surveillance and response capabilities for poison control centers.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9389: Creates interagency placement committees to recommend treatment and rehabilitation programs or strategies for youths with co-existing mental disabilities

Creates 10 interagency placement committees throughout the state to recommend treatment and rehabilitation programs or strategies for youths with co-existing mental disabilities; directs such committees to establish a process by which youths can be referred to such committees; directs such committees to submit a report annually to the governor and legislature identifying gaps in treatment and rehabilitation options, and any plans or recommendations to increase such options.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes rehabilitation-focused committees for youth with mental disabilities, directly advancing criminal justice reform through prevention and treatment programs to reduce recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates committees to recommend mental health treatment programs for youths, directly advancing mental health services and addressing gaps in care as per healthcare topic indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9289: Relates to reports of substantial risk or threat of harm by mental health professionals

Exempts police and peace officers receiving treatment from mandatory reporting of substantial risk or threat of harm by mental health professionals, unless the mental health professional determines, based on reasonable professional judgment, that the condition impairs such person's ability to perform their job duties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts police officers from mandatory reporting by mental health professionals, protecting patient privacy (a patient right) in mental health treatment, thus supporting mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 19, 2026

A 9285: Enacts the mental health integration for networked data (MIND) act

Establishes a centralized mental health data reporting and integration platform to be utilized by all state-operated and county-administered mental health programs, as well as all providers licensed or funded by the office of mental health for the provision of mental health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes centralized mental health data platform to integrate services across state programs, improving coordination and access - directly supports mental health services as defined in topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9311: Designates revenue collected by the opioid excise tax for the New York state drug treatment and public education fund

This bill redirects all revenue from New York's opioid excise tax - including taxes, interest, and penalties - to the New York State Drug Treatment and Public Education Fund. It requires that 100% of collected tax (after reserving funds for potential refunds) be paid to this specific fund, as defined in state finance law. The fund supports drug treatment programs and public education initiatives related to substance abuse. This policy change ensures opioid tax revenue directly finances state-level prevention and treatment services. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill redirects opioid excise tax revenue to fund drug treatment and public education programs, increasing dedicated funding for essential public services under budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects opioid tax revenue to fund drug treatment programs and public education on substance abuse, directly supporting healthcare services and public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Substance Abuse

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