Healthcare (Public Health)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3020: Relates to exempting private and parochial schools and day care centers from immunization requirements

This bill exempts private and parochial schools, as well as day care centers, from state immunization requirements for children. It amends the public health law to remove these facilities from the definition of "school" subject to immunization mandates. The change directly affects private schools, parochial schools, and day care centers by eliminating their obligation to enforce childhood vaccination rules. The bill is currently referred to the Judiciary committee.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRemoves immunization requirements for private schools, a key safety standard affecting educational access and school health policies.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill removes immunization mandates for schools/day cares, weakening public health requirements under public health law.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Public Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3256: Requires employers to notify employees if they come into contact with other employees who have been infected with a virus that is causing a public health emergency

Requires employers to notify employees if they come into contact with other employees who have been diagnosed in relation to a disease outbreak causing a public health emergency; prohibits employers from disclosing the name of the diagnosed employee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates employer notification during public health emergencies to prevent disease spread, directly supporting public health programs under healthcare topic.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employers to notify employees of virus exposure risks, enhancing workplace safety protections without disclosing personal health information, directly advancing worker safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2275: Relates to the availability and use of opioid antagonists on trains

This bill requires all trains and train stations operated by public transit authorities in New York to have opioid antagonists (like naloxone) available for overdose emergencies. It directly affects public transit systems, mandating that they stock these medications and provide employee training on their use. Key provisions include amending the Railroad Law to add opioid antagonists to required first-aid kits on locomotives and updating public health and transit authority laws to require the availability of naloxone and staff training. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment, with implementation plans due within 180 days for some authorities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires naloxone availability on trains for overdose emergencies, improving emergency healthcare access and public health response.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates opioid antagonist availability on public transit systems, enhancing transportation safety protocols for passengers and staff on trains.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse Public Transit Rail

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Sep 8, 2025

A 3617: Enacts the "Jamie Rose care provider act"

This bill requires specific health care facilities - including home care agencies, hospices, health maintenance organizations, and shared health facilities - to create written policies for identifying, assessing, and referring suspected or confirmed domestic violence cases. It mandates staff training for clinical and security personnel, coordination with local domestic violence victim assistance organizations, and advising patients about available support services. The law excludes hospitals (as defined in public health law) and directs the health commissioner to develop model policies and identify local victim assistance organizations. These requirements take effect one year after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates healthcare facilities to create domestic violence protocols, staff training, and patient referrals - enhancing patient safety and support services within healthcare, aligning with protecting patient rights and improving care access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Public Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 30, 2026

A 5460: Allows medical assistants to administer vaccines

This bill allows medical assistants to administer vaccines in outpatient clinics under the direct supervision of a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. It requires that vaccines be recommended by the CDC and that medical assistants complete appropriate training and supervision as defined by state regulations. The law directly affects medical assistants, healthcare providers, and patients in outpatient settings by expanding the scope of practice for medical assistants in vaccine administration. It amends the Education Law and Public Health Law to establish these specific conditions for vaccine delegation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands vaccine access by allowing medical assistants to administer under supervision, improving patient access to immunization services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Public Health

Track

vetoed · New York · Senate Oct 16, 2025

S 1720: Establishes an awareness campaign on the use of hormone replacement therapy in treating the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause

S 1720 would have required New York's public health department to launch an awareness campaign about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for perimenopause and menopause symptoms. The campaign would have provided women directly affected by these symptoms with plain-language information on HRT benefits, risks, side effects, available types, and current medical recommendations. The bill specifically mandated that the campaign cover symptom management, health risks, and evidence-based usage guidelines for HRT. However, the bill was vetoed by the governor on October 16, 2025, so it did not become law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates public health awareness campaign on HRT benefits/risks, improving patient access to evidence-based information for menopause care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

failed · New York · Assembly May 19, 2026

A 1358: Relates to a religious exemption from vaccination requirements

This bill (A 1358) adds a religious exemption to school vaccination requirements in New York State. It allows children whose parents hold "genuine and sincere religious beliefs" opposing vaccinations to attend school without providing immunization certificates. The bill modifies public health law to remove the certificate requirement for these children and requires health providers to report immunization status for exempt students. It directly affects families seeking religious exemptions for school enrollment, while maintaining existing school notification procedures for non-exempt children. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill weakens public health vaccination requirements by allowing religious exemptions, reducing compliance with immunization mandates and potentially increasing disease transmission risks.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3341: Allows personal caregivers to visit residents of adult care facilities

This bill amends New York State laws to allow personal caregivers to visit residents of nursing homes and adult care facilities at any time, not just during public health emergencies. It removes previous restrictions that limited visits to emergency periods, requiring facilities to admit compliant caregivers without time limitations. The change applies to all caregivers meeting federal and state health regulations, ensuring facilities cannot deny access based on outdated emergency rules. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, directly impacting caregivers and residents in these facilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves visitation restrictions for caregivers in healthcare facilities, improving patient access to support networks per healthcare access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6537: Relates to automatic eligibility for early intervention services for children found to have elevated venous blood lead levels

This bill automatically qualifies children with elevated venous blood lead levels (at or above 5 mcg/dl) for early intervention services by adding this condition to the legal definition of "disability" in public health law. It directly affects young children under three years old who are identified with lead levels meeting this threshold during medical screenings. The key mechanism amends Public Health Law to include elevated blood lead levels as a qualifying condition, eliminating the need for separate evaluations to access services. This change ensures children exposed to lead - known to cause developmental delays - receive timely support without administrative barriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAutomatically qualifies children with lead poisoning for early intervention services, expanding access to critical healthcare without additional barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3055: Exempts innovative and alternative septic systems from sales and use taxes

S 3055 exempts innovative septic systems with enhanced treatment technologies - such as advanced nitrogen removal systems - from sales and use taxes. These systems must treat waste at a capacity of no more than 1,000 gallons per day and serve a single residential or small business property. The bill adds this exemption to tax law, specifically targeting systems designed to reduce environmental and public health risks from waste-water interactions. This change directly lowers costs for homeowners and small businesses installing qualifying systems. The bill was referred to the Budget and Revenue committee on January 23, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill exempts qualifying septic systems from sales/use taxes, providing direct tax relief for homeowners and reducing costs as stated in the summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts tax on advanced septic systems with enhanced nitrogen removal, directly reducing wastewater pollution and environmental risks per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly targets reducing public health risks from wastewater through septic system exemptions, aligning with environmental health protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Public Health

Track