Healthcare (Public Health)

in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 30, 2026

A 645: Authorizes the presence of epinephrine auto-injector devices on pre-school premises

This bill allows preschool facilities in New York to keep epinephrine auto-injectors (devices for treating severe allergic reactions) on-site. It directly affects preschools and their staff by authorizing these facilities to have the devices available without needing prior individual prescriptions for each child. The key mechanism adds "pre-school facilities" to a list of authorized locations under public health law, alongside schools, camps, and other entities already permitted to maintain such devices. The policy change focuses on making emergency allergy treatment accessible at preschools, without requiring specific staff training or mandating device use.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes preschools to maintain epinephrine auto-injectors for immediate allergic reaction treatment, directly improving emergency healthcare access in a public health context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5589: Provides public access to epinephrine auto-injector devices at schools

This bill requires all New York schools - including public, charter, and non-public elementary and secondary schools - to maintain and properly test epinephrine auto-injectors for emergency use during severe allergic reactions. It designates school districts and schools as "public access epinephrine auto-injector device providers" under public health law, mandating they post clear signs showing device locations, notify regional health councils of device locations, and follow manufacturer and government maintenance standards. The law directly affects students, staff, and visitors at all covered schools by ensuring immediate access to life-saving treatment during allergic emergencies. The policy takes effect 90 days after enactment, with no cost or funding mechanisms specified in the bill text.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates schools to maintain epinephrine auto-injectors for allergic emergencies, improving immediate access to life-saving treatment in public health context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 9168: Relates to reporting on food security trends

This bill requires New York's Department of Public Health to annually report on food security trends at the county level. It directs the department to include the USDA's standard six-item food security survey in its existing health tracking system and publicly post the results online each year. The law directly affects New York residents by creating a state-level tracking system to monitor food insecurity, replacing the discontinued federal USDA report. This provides lawmakers and community organizations with updated, localized data to inform decisions about nutrition assistance programs and resource allocation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands public health data collection by requiring food security tracking in NY's health monitoring system, supporting public health program enhancement.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 153: Enacts the "total access to menstrual products (TAMP) act"

The "Total Access to Menstrual Products (TAMP) Act" requires all female-designated and gender-neutral bathrooms in New York to provide free menstrual products - including sanitary napkins, tampons, and panty liners - to users. It directly affects workplaces (factories, mines, offices), public facilities (county/city buildings, state universities), hospitals, hotels, and transportation (railroad cars), mandating these products be available at no cost. Key provisions amend labor, public health, and municipal laws to standardize this requirement across all covered facilities. The law focuses on ensuring accessibility without cost, avoiding policy speculation or advocacy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates free menstrual products in hospitals/public facilities, improving access to essential health supplies for menstruating individuals, aligning with healthcare access protections.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates free menstrual products in workplaces, advancing employee workplace standards and supporting workers' rights by ensuring access to essential hygiene products in employment settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2661: Includes senior citizens as vulnerable populations eligible for supportive housing

This bill amends New York's public health law to explicitly include senior citizens (defined as 62+ years old) as a vulnerable population eligible for supportive housing programs. It requires that funding and housing development initiatives specifically address the needs of seniors, with grant applications and allocations prioritizing accessible housing and services for this group. The policy change ensures seniors are formally recognized in eligibility criteria for housing support, directing state funds toward their housing stability and community-based services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAmends public health law to include seniors in housing programs addressing healthcare needs, directing funding toward accessible services for vulnerable population.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly includes seniors (62+) as vulnerable population eligible for supportive housing, requiring programs to prioritize accessible housing and services for them.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Homelessness Property Development

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4720: Adds services delivered to individuals with developmental disabilities to the requirement that telehealth services be reimbursed at the applicable in person rates or fees regardless of location

Adds services delivered, to individuals with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injury, through a facility licensed under article twenty-eight of the public health law, to the requirement that telehealth services be reimbursed at the applicable in person rates or fees regardless of the location of the patient or the clinician.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires equal telehealth reimbursement for developmental disability services, improving access and protecting patient rights under healthcare coverage policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Telehealth

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 1619: Allows a licensed pharmacist to order and administer certain tests

This bill allows licensed pharmacists to order and administer specific medical tests, including COVID-19, flu, RSV, strep throat, HbA1c, hepatitis C, and HIV tests, all authorized by the FDA. It directly affects pharmacists (expanding their clinical role) and patients (increasing access to convenient testing). The law requires tests to meet FDA authorization and federal "waiver" requirements, aligning pharmacists with qualified health professionals under existing public health law. The bill modifies prior 2022 legislation but includes a sunset provision, with most provisions set to expire on July 1, 2028.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacist clinical role to increase patient access to FDA-authorized testing, improving healthcare access and convenience per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Sep 8, 2025

A 3362: Relates to insurance coverage for pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome

This bill requires health insurance plans to cover rehabilitation services for children diagnosed with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) when a doctor certifies the treatment is medically necessary. It directly affects children with PANS and all health insurance providers offering coverage in New York, including group plans. The law mandates coverage without requiring prior authorization beyond a physician's written certification of medical necessity. The bill references the definition of PANS from Public Health Law §207, ensuring consistent application across all health plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for PANS rehabilitation services without prior authorization, expanding access to necessary medical care for children with this condition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance Public Health

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passed · New York · Assembly Apr 22, 2026

A 2078: Requires the immunization of certain post-secondary students against hepatitis B

This bill updates public health law to require hepatitis B vaccination for certain post-secondary students, adding it to existing immunization mandates for measles, mumps, and rubella. It specifies that required vaccines must meet U.S. public health standards and state health department approval. The law takes effect July 1st following enactment and directly affects students at colleges and universities in the state. The change modifies existing public health regulations without creating new programs or funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hepatitis B vaccination for students, strengthening public health mandates to prevent disease and protect community health through existing immunization frameworks.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4348: Relates to requiring hospitals to provide forms in Punjabi

This bill requires hospitals in New York to provide medical forms and printed health information in Punjabi when a patient requests it. It directly affects hospitals (all facilities covered under public health law) and patients who need materials in Punjabi. The key provision mandates translation of any form given to or signed by a patient upon their request. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment. It does not apply to all forms universally, only when a patient specifically asks for Punjabi translation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to provide medical forms in Punjabi upon patient request, improving language access and patient communication in healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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