Prohibits insurance carriers and employers from withholding certain benefits from injured workers based on a claim that such workers have voluntarily withdrawn from the labor market by not seeking alternate employment that their injury or illness does not preclude them from performing.
Directs the commissioner of the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services to establish a program for individuals to receive free drug test strips to detect the presence of medetomidine, benzodiazepine, nitazenes, and/or other harmful contaminants; directs the commissioner of the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services, in cooperation with the commissioner of the department of health, to develop and conduct a public awareness and educational campaign on the dangers of medetomidine, benzodiazepine, nitazenes, and/or other harmful contaminants.
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.
Establishes a narcolepsy and sleep disorder education and awareness program to reduce stigma and promote screening, diagnosis, and management through evidence-based treatment and medication for narcolepsy and other sleep disorders.
Clarifies that residents of the state and any policyholder, contract holder, certificate holder, or beneficiary of a policy, contract, or certificate of life, accident and health insurance may sue an insurer for violations related to misrepresentations, misleading statements and incomplete comparisons.
This bill (A 10310) requires residential health care facilities to maintain written agreements with licensed hospice programs. It directly affects facilities caring for residents eligible for hospice services, mandating coordination on key areas like timely referrals, care planning, medication management, and emergency response. The agreements must address six specific coordination points, including roles of facility and hospice staff and after-hours communication. Facilities that fail to comply face enforcement under health law, and the Department of Health will provide implementation guidance and model contracts.
Establishes a developmental disability, mental health, and behavioral condition community stakeholder committee to examine effective evidence-based developmental, mental, and behavioral health screening methods for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.
This bill (A 9026, "Baby Food Safety and Transparency Act") requires baby food manufacturers sold in the state to test products for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury at least monthly using accredited labs. Manufacturers must publicly disclose test results via QR codes on labels showing metal levels and linking to FDA health information. Products exceeding state-established safety limits (based on federal standards) cannot be sold. The law directly affects baby food manufacturers and aims to increase transparency for parents, supplementing but not replacing federal requirements.
Bill A 8477 establishes a peer-to-peer support service program specifically for women veterans. It amends the veterans' services law to mandate coordination with various state agencies, including the office of mental health and the department of labor, for the development and implementation of this program. The bill also adds the establishment of this program as a new, specific function under the veterans' services law. This initiative aims to provide targeted support services tailored to the unique experiences of women who have served in the military.
Bill S 5665 establishes a doula awareness and education program within the Department of Health. This program directs the department to inform the public and healthcare providers about doulas and their benefits throughout pregnancy, delivery, and birth. The Department of Health will produce and distribute educational materials, making them available to healthcare providers for patients. These materials and the department's website will include information on doulas' role in potentially reducing mortality rates for pregnant individuals, specifically highlighting increased risks for Black pregnant individuals. The department is also required to periodically review relevant data and report on the program's implementation every three years.
