Healthcare

in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 26, 2025

A 2057: Relates to surrogacy programs and agreements

This bill amends New York's surrogacy laws to clarify legal parentage and financial responsibilities. It requires courts to automatically issue parentage judgments declaring intended parents as the sole legal parents immediately after birth, while excluding surrogates and donors from parental rights. The bill mandates that intended parents cover all medical costs - including preconception care, pregnancy expenses, and 12 months of postnatal care - through comprehensive health insurance or escrow funds. These changes directly affect intended parents, surrogates, and healthcare providers involved in surrogacy arrangements. The provisions aim to streamline legal recognition and ensure financial accountability throughout the surrogacy process.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates health insurance coverage for surrogacy-related medical costs, expanding access to healthcare services under insurance requirements90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6704: Relates to civil rights remedies restoration

This bill allows New York state agencies to be sued for violating specific federal civil rights laws, such as the ADA, Rehabilitation Act, and anti-discrimination laws in education and healthcare. It waives New York's legal protection (sovereign immunity) under the U.S. Constitution, enabling individuals harmed by such violations to seek compensation in state court. Key provisions require state agencies to pay damages for financial losses, emotional harm, and attorney fees (minimum $4,000 per violation), plus court-ordered remedies like injunctions. The law directly affects state agencies and victims of civil rights violations, making existing federal protections enforceable through New York courts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly covers anti-discrimination laws in healthcare, enabling lawsuits for violations to protect patients from discrimination and seek compensation, thus strengthening patient rights in healthcare.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill waives sovereign immunity for state agencies violating federal anti-discrimination laws (ADA, Rehabilitation Act) in employment settings, enabling lawsuits for workplace discrimination. This strengthens worker protections against employment d...95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 13, 2025

A 5892: Authorizes practitioners in institutional dispensers to dispense controlled substances as emergency treatment and authorizes practitioners to dispense controlled substances for use in detoxification treatment

Authorizes practitioners in institutional dispensers to dispense controlled substances as emergency treatment for use off the premises of the institutional dispenser; authorizes practitioners to dispense controlled substances for use in maintenance or detoxification treatment to an addict or habitual user.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes controlled substance dispensing for detoxification treatment, expanding access to substance abuse healthcare services without restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4728: Relates to certain notices and guidelines regarding mental health and wellness of employees

Directs the commissioner of labor to create and distribute to employers a poster, pamphlet, or other written materials regarding mental health and wellness of employees to be posted in the workplace; directs voluntary guidelines for employers to put in place strategies and programs to support the mental health and wellness of their employees.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects creation of mental health wellness materials and voluntary employer programs, supporting workplace mental health services95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirects employers to provide mental health resources and voluntary wellness programs, advancing workplace wellness standards under employment protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 23, 2025

S 3035: Enacts the rapid engagement initiative act

Establishes a program to provide immediate assistance to persons to whom an appearance ticket has been issued in order to address the critical needs of such persons for housing, medical treatment, legal representation, and other requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides immediate assistance for housing, medical care, and legal representation to individuals with appearance tickets, addressing root causes to reduce recidivism and support criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly provides immediate assistance for medical treatment as a core service, improving access to healthcare for individuals with appearance tickets.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes program providing immediate housing assistance for individuals in critical housing need, directly addressing homelessness and housing access as per summary.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProvides legal representation and critical services (housing, medical) to individuals with appearance tickets, aligning with immigrant support indicators by addressing enforcement-related needs.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7559: Requires a yearly inspection of all audiological testing equipment

Senate Bill S 7559 requires that all audiological testing equipment used in schools undergo an inspection and testing at least once a year. These inspections must comply with both the manufacturer's guidelines and any applicable government agency standards. If any equipment fails to meet the required standards, it must be replaced with new equipment. This bill aims to ensure the accuracy and reliability of devices used for student hearing examinations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires yearly inspections of school audiological equipment to ensure accuracy in hearing exams, protecting patient safety in healthcare service delivery.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 8, 2025

S 133: Relates to prohibiting the exclusion of coverage for losses or damages caused by exposure to lead-based paint

Relates to prohibiting the exclusion of coverage for losses or damages caused by exposure to lead-based paint; provides that no insurer licensed or permitted by the superintendent to provide liability coverage to rental property owners shall exclude coverage for losses or damages caused by exposure to lead-based paint.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurers cover lead paint exposure damages, expanding health insurance coverage for a public health hazard linked to healthcare access and safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 6037: Relates to establishing a peer support program for veterans

Bill A 6037 establishes a peer support program specifically for veterans dealing with mental illness, alcohol abuse, or substance dependence. The bill defines "veteran peer support services" as counseling provided by a veteran peer counselor to other veterans. It directs the Commissioner of Mental Hygiene, in consultation with other agencies, to develop recommended minimum qualifications for these veteran peer counselors and to create procedures for connecting them with training. This program aims to support veterans by leveraging the unique understanding and experiences of fellow veterans in recovery and support roles.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a mental health peer support program for veterans, directly advancing mental health services through specialized counseling and certification procedures.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes veteran peer support program for mental health/substance abuse, directing development of counselor qualifications and training procedures to advance healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8740: Enacts Killian's law

Enacts "Killian's law"; establishes a timely repair for wheelchair program; extends the warranty period for wheelchairs to 2 years; deems all wheelchair repairs needed within 5 years of initial prescription medically necessary.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends wheelchair warranty to 2 years and deems repairs medically necessary within 5 years, improving access to essential medical devices and patient care.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 8429: Relates to holders of certain operating certificates authorized to provide behavioral analysis services, or to employ or contract with applied behavior analysts and mental health counselors

Authorizes holders of certain operating certificates for treatment of persons with developmental disabilities to provide behavioral analysis services, so long as the professional providing such services is operating within their scope of practice; authorizes holders of such operating certificates to employ or contract with applied behavior analysts and mental health counselors.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes employment of mental health counselors and applied behavior analysts in developmental disability care, expanding access to mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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