Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6540: Relates to residential programs for children

This bill establishes specific rights for youth in residential care facilities operated by New York's Office of Children and Family Services. It requires facilities to inform youth of their rights, including safety from abuse, access to medical care and education, protection from disciplinary withholding of basic needs (like food or hygiene), freedom from discrimination based on gender identity or other factors, and the right to express gender identity through clothing and hairstyle. The bill also creates youth advisory boards within these facilities to help develop policies and provide input on services. All facilities must provide an age-appropriate, plain-language summary of these rights during youth orientation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates access to medical care for youth in residential facilities, directly protecting patient rights and ensuring healthcare access as a core right.90% confidence

Tags Children

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1168: Directs the department of state to establish a statewide registry of mental hygiene and child supervision residential facilities

Directs the department of state to establish and maintain a statewide registry of mental hygiene and child supervision residential facilities which shall include residential facilities for juvenile delinquents and persons in need of supervision subject to the supervision of the office of children and family services, for the mentally ill subject to the supervision of the office of mental health, for the developmentally disabled subject to the supervision of the office for people with developmental disabilities, and for the chemically dependent subject to the supervision of the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes registry for mental health facilities (mental hygiene/mentally ill), supporting oversight and management of mental health services.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4919: Relates to traffic ticket liability for midwives

This bill creates an exception for licensed midwives who receive traffic tickets while responding to emergency medical situations. It establishes a rebuttable presumption that midwives are not liable for certain traffic violations (like running red lights or speeding) if they provide a signed affidavit confirming they were in an emergency response at the time. The provision applies specifically to midwives operating motor vehicles during urgent medical calls, not to general traffic violations. This change directly affects midwives by offering legal protection from ticket penalties when performing emergency medical duties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects midwives from traffic liability during emergency medical responses, enabling timely care access without legal barriers for healthcare providers.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 31, 2026

A 9002: Relates to exemptions from the recipient restriction program

Exempts any covered substance use disorder and mental health treatment services and all FDA approved medications for the treatment of substance use disorder, HIV, hepatitis C and mental health conditions, from all recipient restriction program coverage and payment restrictions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts opioid treatment services from coverage restrictions, improving access to essential addiction care under healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1303: Relates to the menstrual product safety and research act

Relates to the menstrual product safety and research act and its creation of a research program to determine the risks posed from potential toxins in menstrual products.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates research program to identify toxins in menstrual products, directly addressing public health safety risks and aligning with healthcare protection goals.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4484: Provides line of duty sick leave for first responders who are diagnosed with or display symptoms of a pandemic virus

This bill provides paid sick leave for specific first responders who test positive for or show symptoms of a pandemic virus (defined as a WHO-classified virus triggering a state emergency declaration). It covers police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics, requiring employers to grant leave at their regular pay rate without reducing accrued sick leave. Employers cannot take adverse actions against staff using this leave, and the state will reimburse municipalities with fewer than 1 million residents for the costs. The leave applies only during pandemic-related illness or exposure, with written requests and medical documentation required.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides paid sick leave for first responders (medical professionals) with pandemic symptoms, protecting workforce health and preventing virus spread during public health emergencies, directly supporting healthcare workforce stability.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides paid sick leave at regular pay for first responders during pandemics, protecting workers' rights and benefits without adverse actions or pay reduction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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passed · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 6225: Relates to inspections of child day care homes, programs and facilities, and opioid overdose prevention

Requires inspections of child day care homes, programs and facilities include the full premises; requires providers of a family day care home or group family day care home to disclose to the office of children and family services all persons who reside in the home where child day care is being provided; requires all providers of child day care to receive training for, provide and maintain onsite opioid antagonists for use during emergencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires onsite opioid antagonists and training in child care facilities, directly supporting emergency overdose response under public health programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6731: Provides for the designation by a general hospital of persons to identify infectious disease processes

Provides for the designation by a general hospital of persons to identify infectious disease processes, conduct surveillance and epidemiologic investigations, and develop plans to prevent and control the transmission of infectious agents within general hospitals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates hospital staff for infectious disease surveillance and control, strengthening public health protocols within healthcare settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6335: Relates to asset forfeiture

This bill amends how money from asset forfeiture cases is distributed. It increases the portion going to the Chemical Dependence Service Fund from 15% to 40% of remaining forfeiture funds after other costs are covered. It also raises the share for law enforcement agencies to cover their costs from 5% to 15% of remaining funds. These changes affect law enforcement agencies handling forfeiture cases and the state's chemical dependence treatment programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases Chemical Dependence Service Fund allocation from 15% to 40% of forfeiture funds, directly funding essential treatment programs through state budget reallocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases funding to chemical dependence treatment programs (40% from 15%), directly supporting rehabilitation efforts within criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases Chemical Dependence Service Fund allocation from 15% to 40% of forfeiture funds, directly boosting funding for substance abuse treatment (a healthcare program) per the fund's purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5181: Relates to customers with documented need for essential electricity for medical needs

Provides that each electric corporation shall establish a unique priority phone number that shall remain in operation every day of the year for customers who have documented their need for essential electricity for medical needs; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures reliable electricity access for medical devices during outages, preventing health risks and supporting patient safety continuity for critical medical needs.95% confidence

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