Healthcare

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3074: Requires reporting of positive cytomegalovirus results

This bill requires local health departments to immediately notify a newborn's pediatrician and parents when a positive cytomegalovirus (CMV) test is identified in a newborn. It mandates confirmatory urine testing for infants under three weeks old and ensures follow-up care by a pediatric infectious disease specialist before the baby turns four weeks old, including head measurements, eye exams, hearing tests, and blood work. The law also adds CMV to the list of reportable communicable diseases under public health regulations. This directly affects newborns with CMV, their parents, pediatricians, and hospital staff responsible for reporting and care coordination.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates early CMV detection, follow-up care, and adds to reportable diseases, improving newborn health services access and public health monitoring.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Hospitals Public Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7275: Establishes light duty during pregnancy and parental leave for railroad employees

This bill establishes two key protections for railroad employees working for state-run railroads: (1) requiring employers to provide light duty assignments during pregnancy (with full pay and benefits maintained), and (2) creating paid parental leave benefits (67% of average weekly wage, up to 12 weeks annually) for bonding with newborns or adopted children within the first year. Eligibility begins after 26 consecutive weeks of employment (or 175 days for part-time workers), with benefits payable starting on the 14th day of leave. The law applies to all railroad employees covered under state authority operations and explicitly preserves existing collective bargaining agreements. It takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures full pay/benefits during pregnancy and parental leave, maintaining health insurance coverage and protecting employee health access during critical health periods.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates paid light duty during pregnancy and 67% wage parental leave, directly expanding worker benefits and protections under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Paid Leave

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3859: Authorizes workers' compensation claimants to use any in-state pharmacy that is registered with the education department

Authorizes workers' compensation claimants to use any in-state pharmacy that is registered with the education department, though an employer or insurance carrier may encourage use of a pharmacy with which it has a contract; provides that a workers' compensation carrier shall not be liable for charges from any out-of-state pharmacy or for any extemporaneous compound medication that has by been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands medication access for workers' comp claimants by allowing any registered in-state pharmacy, improving patient access without restricting options.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands workers' compensation claimant pharmacy choice and prevents carrier liability for approved meds, enhancing access to care under workers' comp benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Workers' Compensation

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2289: Enacts the manufacturer disclosure and transparency act

Enacts the manufacturer disclosure and transparency act requiring prescription drug manufacturers to notify the attorney general of arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers resulting in the delay of the introduction of generic medications.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates disclosure of drug manufacturer arrangements delaying generics, promoting lower drug costs and improved patient access to affordable medications.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 8434: Establishes the rural suicide prevention council

Establishes the rural suicide prevention council to identify barriers to mental health and substance use treatment and prevention services and other policies, practices, resources, services, and potential legislation that aim to reduce death by suicide and suicide attempts and acknowledge the demographic and cultural differences in rural communities; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates council to address rural mental health barriers and improve suicide prevention services, directly supporting mental health access and public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7119: Requires managed care providers to annually provide each participant in their programs with a written list of mail-order pharmacies

Requires managed care providers to annually provide each participant in their programs with a written list of mail-order pharmacies with which the managed care provider has a contract for coverage of prescription drugs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires managed care providers to list contracted mail-order pharmacies, improving patient access to prescription drug coverage options.85% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2648: Provides public access to epinephrine auto-injector devices at schools

This bill (A2648) requires all New York schools - including public, charter, and non-public elementary and secondary schools - to maintain and manage epinephrine auto-injector devices for emergency use. Schools must follow specific guidelines: regularly test devices per manufacturer standards, notify regional health councils of device locations, and post clear signage at building entrances indicating where devices are stored. The law designates schools as "public access epinephrine auto-injector device providers" under existing public health law, ensuring devices are accessible during allergic reactions. It takes effect 90 days after enactment, focusing on practical, standardized access without altering medical protocols.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates schools to maintain epinephrine auto-injectors for emergency allergic reactions, directly improving access to critical healthcare services in public settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3956: Requires cytomegalovirus screening for every newborn

This bill (A 3956) requires all newborns in New York to be screened for cytomegalovirus (CMV) using a specialized blood spot or urine test within the first 21 days of life. It directly affects every newborn and their parents, as parents may opt out of the screening. The law mandates screening via dried blood spot or urine PCR testing, with the health commissioner allowed to approve alternative equivalent tests through regulations. The bill amends Public Health Law to add this requirement, effective 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates newborn CMV screening to improve early detection of preventable health issues, strengthening public health services and patient access to preventive care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7859: Enacts the "ICE ban in hospitals and shelters act"

Prohibits civil arrest in hospital, shelter, food bank, and crisis center settings; except to address an imminent safety situation or if they have an appropriate judicial warrant or judicial order.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits civil arrests in hospitals/shelters, protecting civil rights in vulnerable settings per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits ICE arrests in hospitals/shelters, protecting patient access and rights in healthcare settings without restricting care.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill prohibits civil arrest by ICE in sensitive settings like hospitals and shelters, directly limiting federal immigration enforcement and protecting individuals, including immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 13, 2025

A 2051: Authorizes increased equity withdrawals by certain non-public residential health care facilities

Authorizes increased equity withdrawals by certain non-public residential health care facilities; establishes the nursing home worker recruitment and safety fund.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes nursing home worker recruitment/safety fund, improving staffing quality and safety in healthcare facilities per bill summary.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes nursing home worker recruitment and safety fund, directly advancing workplace safety and worker protections in healthcare sector.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

Track