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.
This resolution memorializes Governor Hochul to proclaim April 2025 as Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month in New York State, aligning with National Donate Life Month. It aims to raise public awareness about organ and tissue donation, encourage New Yorkers to register as donors through the New York State Donate Life Registry, and honor the life-saving impact of donors and their families. The resolution does not create new laws but requests a ceremonial proclamation to support ongoing efforts to address the critical shortage of donors.
S 5991, the "LEAVE Act," requires most employers to provide paid sick leave and paid leave based on company size: small businesses (4+ employees with >$1M income) must offer 40 hours paid sick leave and 40 hours paid leave annually; mid-sized (5-99 employees) get 40 hours each; large businesses (100+) get 56 hours sick leave and 40 hours paid leave. Employees accrue leave at 1 hour per 30 hours worked, with protections covering medical needs, family care, and domestic violence situations (including safety planning and legal support). The bill also mandates 20 hours of paid prenatal leave annually starting in 2025, to be taken in hourly increments at the employee’s regular pay rate. It applies to all covered employers in the state and prohibits requiring confidential health disclosures as a condition for leave.
This bill creates a regulated program to allow the medical use of psilocybin, a compound found in certain mushrooms, for treating specific health conditions. It directly affects qualified patients diagnosed with issues like treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, or substance use disorders, as well as licensed healthcare providers and designated caregivers. Under the act, the state would establish rules for licensing producers, setting safety standards, and requiring that patients receive psilocybin in a controlled, supervised setting. The legislation also provides legal protection from criminal penalties for the possession and use of psilocybin when obtained through this new medical framework.
This bill eliminates asset limits for households receiving public assistance benefits, meaning savings, property, and other assets will no longer reduce eligibility or benefit amounts. It directly affects households enrolled in programs like food assistance, cash aid, or medical assistance by removing previous restrictions (e.g., $2,500 cash limit for applicants). Key provisions replace specific dollar thresholds with a general exemption for all assets, while retaining limited exemptions for homes, one vehicle, burial plots, and education funds. The change aligns with federal requirements and ensures benefits are calculated without penalizing households for holding assets.
Includes any parent or parent of a minor who cares for such minor child with an intellectual or developmental disability within the health care and mental hygiene worker bonuses.
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.
This bill creates the New York Autism Spectrum Disorders Treatment, Training and Research Council to address gaps identified in a 2010 state report. The council, composed of 28 members including agency heads, experts, and family representatives, will develop a coordinated state policy and plan for ASD services within one year. Key duties include holding community forums statewide, coordinating existing state services, improving early screening access, and providing annual updates to the governor and legislature. The council directly affects New Yorkers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and their families by aiming to streamline care, research, and information access.
Simplifies the procedure by which injured workers obtain treatment for injuries covered by the workers' compensation law; provides that the list of pre-authorized procedures is to be used only as a list of treatment that does not require insurance carrier approval.
Provides for the licensing of professional and clinical music therapists encompassing the assessment, evaluation, and the therapeutic intervention and treatment of mental, emotional, developmental and behavioral disorders through the use of music.
