Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

passed · New York · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 4950: Relates to the payment for services at addiction treatment centers operated by the office of addiction services and supports

Requires that services at addiction treatment centers operated by the office of addiction services and supports shall not be refused at such centers if a person is unable to pay.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents refusal of addiction treatment services based on inability to pay, ensuring access to care for all patients regardless of financial status.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4929: Decriminalizes possession of controlled substances, establishes the drug decriminalization task force; repealer

Eliminates criminal and civil penalties for possession of controlled substances; establishes the drug decriminalization task force to develop recommendations for reforming state laws, regulations and practices so that they align with the stated goal of treating substance use disorder as a disease, rather than a criminal behavior.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDecriminalizes drug possession, treats substance use as health issue, establishes task force for reform - directly advances criminal justice reform by reducing criminalization.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTreats substance use disorder as a health issue rather than criminal behavior, aligning with public health initiatives to improve access to care through legislative reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5477: Relates to pretrial mental health and substance abuse evaluations and treatment for certain defendants and establishes the pretrial mental health and substance abuse services bail fund

Relates to pretrial mental health and substance abuse evaluations and treatment for certain defendants; establishes the pretrial mental health and substance abuse services bail fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates a dedicated state fund for pretrial mental health services, allocating budget resources to support this program.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes pretrial mental health/substance abuse services and a dedicated fund, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through treatment access rather than incarceration.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes fund for pretrial mental health/substance abuse services, directly funding healthcare access for defendants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2331: Relates to decriminalizing the possession of buprenorphine

S 2331 removes buprenorphine from the legal definitions of "controlled substance" and "narcotic preparation" under New York's penal law. This change means possessing buprenorphine (a medication used to treat opioid use disorder) will no longer be treated as a criminal offense under these specific provisions. The bill amends two sections of the penal law to exclude buprenorphine from lists that previously carried criminal penalties for possession. It will take effect on November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves criminal penalties for buprenorphine possession, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with drug policy reform to prioritize treatment over punishment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDecriminalizes buprenorphine for opioid treatment, removing criminal penalties and improving access to medication-assisted therapy for addiction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4916: Relates to the enactment of the Safer Consumption Services Act

This bill establishes a legal framework for safe injection sites in New York, creating a program approved by the Department of Health to provide overdose prevention services. It directly affects people who use drugs (participants), community health organizations operating the sites, and local communities through designated locations. Key provisions require sites to offer sterile equipment, overdose monitoring, naloxone access, referrals to treatment, and language-accessible education, while mandating annual reporting on participant numbers and services. The bill also provides legal immunity from arrest or penalties for participants, staff, and property owners who follow approved protocols, ensuring these sites operate without criminal or civil liability.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes safe injection sites with overdose prevention, naloxone access, and treatment referrals, directly advancing public health services for people who use drugs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 16, 2025

S 7444: Relates to establishing a crisis intervention team program

Bill S 7444 establishes a crisis intervention demonstration program, primarily in cities with a population of one million or more, to assist law enforcement officers in responding to situations involving individuals with mental illness or substance abuse issues. It creates a Crisis Intervention Team Training Program Coordinator to coordinate specialized training for first responders and foster partnerships between law enforcement, mental health providers, and communities. The bill also establishes a Crisis Intervention Team Training Fund, supported by state and other moneys, to finance the training and community coordination efforts, and an advisory committee to oversee the program and make recommendations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes crisis intervention teams to divert mental health crises from criminal justice system, reducing unnecessary arrests and aligning with reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes mental health crisis intervention program with law enforcement partnerships, directly supporting mental health services through specialized training and provider coordination.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2253: Relates to dispensing certain controlled substances for use by a person with a substance use disorder

This bill authorizes paramedics to administer buprenorphine - a medication used to treat opioid overdoses - after receiving naloxone, following specific protocols. It requires the health commissioner to develop a training program for paramedics, which must include physician authorization and patient consent before administration. Paramedics who complete the training will be permitted to carry and administer buprenorphine during suspected overdose emergencies. The law directly affects emergency medical service paramedics in New York, creating a structured pathway for expanded overdose response.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes paramedics to administer buprenorphine for opioid overdoses, expanding emergency healthcare access and directly addressing public health crisis. No restrictions; promotes life-saving treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 6, 2025

S 5922: Requires employers to include an opioid antagonist where first aid kits are required by federal law

This bill requires non-governmental employers who must provide first aid kits under federal law to include an opioid reversal medication (like naloxone) in those kits. It directly affects private businesses and workplaces subject to federal first aid kit requirements, such as construction sites or manufacturing facilities. The law mandates adding this medication to existing first aid supplies without creating new requirements for kit provision. It does not apply to government agencies or workplaces not federally mandated to have first aid kits. The bill focuses solely on updating existing federal first aid kit standards to include life-saving opioid reversal medication.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates naloxone in workplace first aid kits, directly enhancing emergency opioid overdose response and public health access without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1057: Authorizes schools to possess and administer FDA approved opioid reversal agents in emergency situations

Authorizes schools to possess and administer FDA approved opioid reversal agents in emergency situations to negate or neutralize, in whole or in part, the pharmacological effects of an opioid in the human body.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes schools to administer opioid reversal agents in emergencies, directly improving public health emergency response and patient access to life-saving care for opioid overdoses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3452: Relates to the removal of a criminal action to a veterans treatment court

S 3452 allows criminal cases involving eligible veterans to be transferred to a veterans treatment court within the same county or an adjacent county, expanding access for veterans facing charges in areas without such courts. The transfer requires the veteran's request, court approval, and the district attorney's consent, following a model used in drug courts. This change would immediately more than double the number of counties where veterans can access specialized treatment programs addressing underlying issues like mental health or substance abuse. The bill applies to pending felony cases in local criminal courts and aims to broaden New York's existing network of 20 veterans treatment courts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes veterans treatment courts as a rehabilitative alternative to traditional criminal justice, following drug court models to address underlying issues and reduce recidivism for eligible veterans.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to veterans' treatment programs (mental health/substance abuse) via specialized courts, improving healthcare access for veterans.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands access to veterans treatment courts for eligible veterans facing criminal charges, improving specialized service access through court transfer pathways.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Substance Abuse Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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