This bill extends the expiration date for disability benefits under New York's volunteer firefighters' benefit law for heart-related conditions. It specifically updates the effective period of provisions covering firefighters disabled by heart disease or coronary artery issues, moving the end date from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030. The change directly affects volunteer firefighters who qualify for these disability benefits due to qualifying heart conditions. The bill does not alter eligibility criteria or benefit amounts - it only prolongs the current law's validity.
Provides that supervision by a licensed physical therapist of a physical therapist assistant shall be continuous but shall not require the physical presence of the licensed physical therapist at the time and place where services are being performed; requires a licensed physical therapist to be available for consultation with the physical therapist assistant or the patient within a reasonable amount of time.
This bill (S 1651) amends New York's general business law to regulate how physicians dispense hearing aids. It prohibits licensed physicians (including otolaryngologists) from selling hearing aids for profit and requires them to provide free repairs or service on any hearing aid they dispensed. The law applies specifically to physicians who currently dispense hearing aids, mandating compliance with additional sections of the law regarding their practice. The bill does not affect general not-for-profit organizations, as its focus is solely on medical professionals' hearing aid dispensing practices.
Enacts the "Gold Star Families Support Act"; provides a member of a Gold Star family with state paid health insurance; removes provisions relating to veterans with disabilities; expands employment of veterans to employment of veterans and members of a Gold Star family; establishes the Gold Star family tuition fund to be distributed to any public or private educational institution from grades pre-K through graduate and post-graduate school shall be deposited with any school providing free tuition to a member of a Gold Star family; makes related provisions.
Requires the department of health to establish a registry for the collection of information on the incidence and prevalence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and motor neuron disease (MND) in the state; requires that every physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant and general hospital that diagnoses or treats a patient diagnosed with ALS or MND give notice to the department of cases of ALS or MND coming under their care; requires that patients diagnosed with ALS or MND be provided with written and verbal notice regarding the collection of information and patient data on ALS and MND and provides a method for patients to opt out of the collection of data; provides for duties of the department and the commissioner of health in relation thereto.
This bill (S 5538) automatically qualifies children with elevated blood lead levels (5 mcg/dl or higher in venous blood tests) for early intervention services under New York's public health law. It amends the definition of "disability" to include such lead exposure, ensuring these children receive support without additional screening or evaluation. The key mechanism adds lead levels to the list of conditions that trigger automatic eligibility for services like therapy or developmental support. This change directly affects young children diagnosed with lead exposure, streamlining access to critical early care.
Directs counties, in coordination with their regional emergency medical services councils, to develop and maintain comprehensive county emergency medical system plans that provide for coordinated emergency medical systems within such counties.
Establishes a master of social work paid field practicum pilot program to provide a stipend to students who are enrolled in a master of social work program for the first 450 hours of field practicum completed towards such masters' degree; requires the office of mental health to complete a report making recommendations on how to expand the pilot program to increase the number of social workers in the state, improve representation in the field of social work, mitigate student debt and improve labor conditions for social workers upon graduation.
Limits exemptions from immunization requirements by local governments and private entities to medical exemptions; repeals religious exemptions for certain post-secondary students.
This bill establishes the "First Responder Peer Support Program Act" to create a statewide grant program for peer-to-peer mental health support services. It directly affects first responders - including firefighters, police officers, EMTs, 911 operators, and correctional officers - by providing funding for local programs offering trauma-informed training and mental health resources. Key provisions include requiring standardized training on trauma, suicide prevention, and resilience; mandating strict confidentiality for participants; and prohibiting disclosure of personal information to employers. Grants are allocated to eligible local entities, with annual reports tracking program use without identifying individuals.
