Healthcare

passed · New York · Assembly Apr 8, 2025

K 309: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025, as Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Donate Life Month

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePromotes organ donation awareness and registration, aligning with public health initiatives to improve access to life-saving transplants.60% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5991: Requires employers provide its employees paid leave

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides paid leave for medical needs, improving access to healthcare services without financial penalty for employees90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates paid sick leave and other leave for employees, expanding worker benefits and protecting rights for medical/family needs per bill requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Paid Leave

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 8, 2026

A 2142: Enacts the medical psilocybin act

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly legalizes psilocybin for treating health conditions, expanding mental health treatment options and aligning with healthcare support indicators.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2061: Eliminates asset limits in calculating the amount of benefits for any household under any public assistance program

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves asset limits for public assistance, expanding eligibility and increasing government spending on essential programs like food/cash aid without reducing benefits.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves asset limits for medical assistance programs, expanding access to healthcare benefits without financial barriers for households.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves asset limits in public assistance, allowing property ownership without losing benefits. Supports property rights (a housing policy component) by removing barriers to homeownership for low-income households.80% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7016: Relates to the health care and mental hygiene worker bonuses

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands healthcare worker bonus eligibility to include caregivers of disabled minors, directly funding mental health services and supporting workforce retention.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands bonus eligibility to include caregivers of disabled minors, increasing compensation for health care workers under Labor & Employment protections.95% confidence

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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 · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3995: Creates the New York autism spectrum disorders treatment, training and research council and provides for the powers and duties of the council

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates council to improve ASD service coordination, early screening access, and develop state policy, directly enhancing healthcare access for autism spectrum disorders.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6205: Provides that the list of pre-authoized procedures is to be used only as a list of treatment that does not require insurance carrier approval

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves insurance approval requirement for pre-authorized procedures, improving access to treatment for injured workers under workers' comp.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentSimplifies treatment access for injured workers by removing insurance approval barriers, directly supporting workers' compensation benefits under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5145: Relates to the licensing of professional and clinical music therapists

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareLicensing music therapists for mental/behavioral disorder treatment expands specialized healthcare access, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare policy.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6454: Authorizes the commissioner of health to adopt policies to exclude certain non-recurring items from income for the program for elderly pharmaceutical insurance cover

Authorizes the commissioner of health to adopt policies to exclude certain non-recurring items from income that would artificially inflate the availability of funds to meet current needs relating to eligibility for the program for elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExcludes non-recurring income items to prevent artificial fund inflation, ensuring accurate eligibility for elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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