Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

in committee · New York · Assembly May 18, 2026

A 10223: Establishes the "recovery ready workplace act"

This bill establishes a certification program for employers to become "recovery ready workplaces" (RRWs), directly affecting employers across all industries and their employees with substance use disorders (SUDs). To earn certification, employers must implement specific measures including onsite naloxone availability, mandatory training for supervisors on SUDs and prevention, workplace stress reduction strategies, and comprehensive health coverage for SUD treatment equal to physical health care. The program requires collaboration with unions and recovery organizations, along with policies ensuring confidentiality and reasonable accommodations for employees in recovery. Certification criteria also mandate connecting with local recovery resources and assessing workplace culture to support employees seeking treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal health coverage for SUD treatment as physical health, expanding access to mental health services per bill's certification requirements.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates equal SUD treatment coverage and supervisor training, advancing workplace health protections for employees with substance use disorders.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Professional Licensing

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 9145: Establishes the "recovery ready workplace act"

S 9145, the "Recovery Ready Workplace Act," creates a certification program for employers to become "recovery ready workplaces" (RRWs), directly affecting businesses with employees and their workers struggling with substance use disorders. Key provisions require employers to implement specific policies, including providing naloxone access, offering anti-stigma training for staff, ensuring equal health coverage for substance use disorder treatment as physical health care, and connecting with recovery organizations within six months of certification. Employers must also develop written plans with employee and union input, address workplace stressors linked to substance misuse, and maintain confidentiality for employees seeking support. The law aims to reduce barriers to care and normalize recovery support in the workplace through structured certification criteria.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal health coverage for substance use disorder treatment as physical health care, advancing insurance coverage access for mental health services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates equal health coverage for substance use disorder treatment, naloxone access, and anti-stigma training - strengthening workplace safety and worker health protections under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Collective Bargaining Professional Licensing

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 9272: Relates to expanding opioid overdose prevention measures in certain settings

Requires school districts, public libraries, BOCES, county vocational education and extension boards, charter schools, and non-public schools to provide and maintain on-site opioid antagonists; requires the department of health to provide such opioid antagonists to such entities upon request.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates opioid antagonists in schools/libraries to prevent overdoses, directly enhancing public health access and safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 1, 2026

A 10060: Authorizes high schools to include opioid overdose prevention and non-intravenous opioid antagonist administration as part of required health education courses

Authorizes high schools to include opioid overdose prevention and non-intravenous opioid antagonist administration as optional part of required health education courses; authorizes certain students to administer non-intravenous opioid antagonists.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes adding opioid prevention to required health curriculum, enhancing student education content and access to critical health knowledge.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes opioid overdose prevention education and student administration of antagonists, directly enhancing public health response and patient access to life-saving interventions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 21, 2026

A 9686: Requires insurance and Medicaid coverage for inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment for a period of not less than forty-five days

This bill requires health insurance plans and Medicaid to cover inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment for a minimum of 45 days. It directly affects individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders by mandating that insurers cannot impose stricter financial limits or treatment restrictions on these services than they do for general medical care. Key provisions include prohibiting extra costs or prior authorization requirements for substance treatment that are more restrictive than those applied to other medical benefits. The law applies to all comprehensive insurance policies and Medicaid plans, ensuring coverage for detoxification, rehabilitation, and medically necessary residential care without arbitrary time limits.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates substance abuse treatment coverage, directly supporting rehabilitation programs to reduce recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance/Medicaid coverage for substance abuse treatment, removing financial barriers and aligning with general medical care standards, directly expanding mental health services access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8695: Relates to joint certification of certified community behavioral health clinics

Provides for administrative review when applying for an additional certification by applicants to become certified community behavioral health clinics if such applicant is already certified by either the department of mental health or the office of addiction services and supports and is in good standing for five or more years.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines certification for existing behavioral health clinics, enabling expanded mental health service access without redundant processes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 18, 2026

A 9653: Relates to purposes of the drug treatment and public education fund

Expands the purposes of the drug treatment and public education fund to include prevention and recovery programs; requires reporting to be made available on the office of addiction services and supports' website.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands drug treatment fund to include prevention/recovery programs, directing existing funds toward essential services.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands drug treatment fund to include prevention/recovery programs, increasing public health funding for addiction services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 8637: Relates to purposes of the drug treatment and public education fund

Expands the purposes of the drug treatment and public education fund to include prevention and recovery programs; requires reporting to be made available on the office of addiction services and supports' website.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands fund purposes to include prevention/recovery programs, directing existing budget toward public health services.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands drug treatment fund to include prevention/recovery programs, directly supporting criminal justice reform through rehabilitation and recidivism reduction.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands drug treatment fund to include prevention/recovery programs, strengthening public health services under healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8758: Replaces the term addict with the term person with substance use disorder

This bill changes the language in New York's Public Health Law by replacing the term "addict" with "person with substance use disorder" in sections governing medical treatment. It specifically affects healthcare practitioners who prescribe controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment, ensuring they reference patients as "person with substance use disorder" instead of "addict" in legal documents. The key mechanism is a simple terminology update within existing prescribing provisions, aiming to use more clinical and less stigmatizing language. This change aligns with broader efforts to reduce stigma in healthcare communication.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates terminology to reduce stigma, aligning with patient rights and mental health best practices in healthcare documentation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 5, 2026

A 9474: Replaces the term addict with the term person with substance use disorder

This bill amends New York's public health law to replace the term "addict" with "person with substance use disorder" in provisions related to prescribing controlled substances for treatment. It specifically updates language in Section 3351 regarding practitioners prescribing medications for maintenance or detoxification treatment. The change affects how the law refers to individuals seeking substance use disorder treatment, using more person-centered language. This is a terminology update only, with no change to treatment eligibility or medical protocols.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReplaces stigmatizing term 'addict' with person-centered language to improve patient dignity and access to substance use disorder treatment, aligning with healthcare access and patient rights indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

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