Bill A 5554 changes where certain application fees are deposited within the state budget. It requires that fees paid for operating certificates, which are necessary for mental hygiene service providers, be directed into the mental illness anti-stigma fund. Previously, these fees were deposited into the state's general fund. This bill ensures that funds collected from these applications specifically support efforts to combat the stigma surrounding mental illness.
This bill allows the New York State Commissioner of Health to appoint local health officials to request death-related records, such as autopsy and toxicology reports, from coroners or medical examiners. It requires these officials to provide the requested records within three business days of completion. The bill directly affects coroners, medical examiners, and local health officials by changing who can formally request these death records. This amendment to county law streamlines access to health-related death documentation for public health purposes.
Allows for reimbursement of transportation costs for emergency care without prior authorization by the social services official including emergency medical transportation by an ambulance service certified under article 30 of the public health law; authorizes the commissioner of health to establish a reimbursement methodology to ensure providers are reimbursed.
This bill amends New York's mental hygiene law to add fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), including fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), partial FAS (pFAS), and alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), to the official definition of developmental disability. It directly affects individuals with FASD who meet specific criteria: being over age seven, having a qualified medical diagnosis, experiencing symptoms before age 22, having a condition expected to continue indefinitely, and facing significant challenges in daily living activities. The key mechanism is expanding eligibility for developmental disability services to include these FASD diagnoses under existing law. This change ensures individuals with FASD can access support programs and services previously available only to those with other qualifying conditions.
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People with Disabilities
This bill establishes a statewide kinship navigator program within New York's Office of Children and Family Services. It directly assists kinship caregivers - individuals caring for relatives' children (including prospective caregivers and relative guardians) - by providing free help accessing services and benefits. Key provisions include referrals, free legal consultations, application support for Medicaid, SNAP, child care subsidies, and coordination across state agencies like health, education, and social services. The program will operate through regional offices (7-12 regions), maintain a toll-free hotline, and offer local respite services to help caregivers navigate available support.
Establishes a cause of action for fertility fraud; allows patients who have undergone assisted reproduction procedures to bring a cause of action if human reproductive material other than that which was consented to by the patient is used in such procedure; allows for compensatory and punitive damages.
Provides for the licensing and regulation of the practice of neurofeedback therapy; defines practice of neurofeedback therapy; establishes state board of neurofeedback therapy and the requirements to qualify for a license as a neurofeedback therapist.
This bill requires health insurance to cover backup cochlear implant devices for patients during initial implantation and for all future replacements or upgrades (typically needed every 3-5 years). It directly affects patients with cochlear implants who currently lack access to backup devices after their initial device is installed. The law mandates that large group health insurance policies provide this coverage as long as the patient uses the implant, including for necessary upgrades, while allowing standard deductibles and copays. The bill was passed by the legislature but vetoed by the governor on December 5, 2025, so it has not become law.
S 1360 establishes strict rules for state employees handling confidential information like health status, immigration details, or crime victim records. It requires written approval from designated agency "access officers" before any disclosure (except for legal requirements or criminal investigations), prohibits unnecessary collection of such data, and bans line workers from sharing confidential details without prior written authorization. The bill directly affects all state employees interacting with the public (e.g., in benefits or social services) and agencies providing state services. Key provisions include limiting disclosures to what's legally required, mandating written consent for individual disclosures, and imposing civil penalties of up to $1,000 for violations.
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Government Transparency
Provides that chiropractors may certify disability for handicapped parking and real property tax purposes and be employed by school districts to assist medical inspectors.
