Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8618: Enacts the "behavioral health transportation access act"

Enacts the "behavioral health transportation access act", in relation to establishing a transportation assistance voucher demonstration program for certain outpatient mental health and substance use disorder services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes transportation vouchers for outpatient mental health/substance use disorder services, directly improving patient access to care as per healthcare topic definition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9409: Establishes an intensive addiction recovery and mental health integrated services pilot program

Establishes an intensive addiction recovery and mental health integrated services pilot program to support two three-year demonstration programs that provide intensive addiction and mental health integrated services to individuals with significant addiction and mental health issues who have had multiple and frequent treatment episodes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates pilot program for integrated addiction/mental health services, directly expanding access to critical care for underserved populations with significant treatment needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9311: Designates revenue collected by the opioid excise tax for the New York state drug treatment and public education fund

This bill redirects all revenue from New York's opioid excise tax - including taxes, interest, and penalties - to the New York State Drug Treatment and Public Education Fund. It requires that 100% of collected tax (after reserving funds for potential refunds) be paid to this specific fund, as defined in state finance law. The fund supports drug treatment programs and public education initiatives related to substance abuse. This policy change ensures opioid tax revenue directly finances state-level prevention and treatment services. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill redirects opioid excise tax revenue to fund drug treatment and public education programs, increasing dedicated funding for essential public services under budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects opioid tax revenue to fund drug treatment programs and public education on substance abuse, directly supporting healthcare services and public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4617: Establishes a statewide emergency and crisis response council

Creates statewide emergency and crisis response council to work in conjunction with the commissioners of mental health and addiction services to jointly approve emergency and crisis services plans submitted by local governments, and provide supports regarding the operation and financing of high-quality emergency and crisis services provided to persons experiencing a mental health, alcohol use, or substance use crisis.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes council to jointly approve mental health crisis services plans and provide operational/financing support, directly strengthening mental health crisis response systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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signed · New York · Assembly Nov 21, 2025

A 2398: Replaces the words addict and addicts with the words persons with substance use disorder or a variation thereof

This bill amends multiple New York State laws to replace the terms "addict" or "addicts" with "person with substance use disorder" or a similar phrase throughout legal texts. It specifically updates references in the judiciary law (affecting court proceedings), mental hygiene law (governing treatment programs), and public health law (regarding controlled substance dispensing). The change applies to all relevant legal documents, including those describing mental health hearings, treatment eligibility, and medication administration protocols. This terminology shift aims to reduce stigma by using person-centered language consistent with modern healthcare and legal standards. The bill was signed into law as Chapter 511 on November 21, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReplaces stigmatizing terms with person-centered language in court, treatment, and health laws, aligning with criminal justice reform to reduce bias and improve rehabilitation access.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReplaces stigmatizing terms with person-centered language in mental hygiene/public health laws, advancing patient dignity and aligning with mental health service standards.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Public Health Substance Abuse

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 7641: Designates revenue collected by the opioid excise tax for the New York state drug treatment and public education fund

Senate Bill S 7641 designates where revenue from the existing opioid excise tax in New York State will be allocated. It specifies that all taxes, interest, and penalties collected from this tax, after accounting for any refunds, will be deposited into the New York State Drug Treatment and Public Education Fund. This mechanism ensures that funds generated by the opioid excise tax are directly used to support drug treatment and public education initiatives throughout the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs existing opioid tax revenue to fund drug treatment and public education programs, advancing public service funding through fiscal allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDesignates opioid tax revenue to fund drug treatment and public education initiatives, directly increasing healthcare funding for substance abuse treatment programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7163: Requires every new student at a state university of New York and a city university of New York campus receive training at orientation in the administration of opioid antagonists

Requires every new student at a state university of New York and a city university of New York campus receive training at orientation in the administration of opioid antagonists; requires each campus to provide and maintain onsite in each college-owned or college-operated building opioid antagonists.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates opioid antagonist training and availability on campuses to address overdose emergencies, directly improving public health access and response.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 977: Allows withdrawals from family tuition accounts to pay for treatment of substance use disorder for the designated beneficiary

Allows withdrawals from family tuition accounts to pay for treatment of substance use disorder, including detoxification and rehabilitation for the designated beneficiary.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands health coverage by allowing tuition account funds to pay for substance use disorder treatment, directly improving access to mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3670: Establishes a statewide emergency and crisis response council

Creates statewide emergency and crisis response council to work in conjunction with the commissioners of mental health and addiction services to jointly approve emergency and crisis services plans submitted by local governments, and provide supports regarding the operation and financing of high-quality emergency and crisis services provided to persons experiencing a mental health, alcohol use, or substance use crisis.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates council to jointly approve mental health/substance use crisis services plans, strengthening access to emergency care and supporting crisis response systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 808: Establishes a drug checking program

Establishes through the department of health a drug checking services program to allow individuals to bring drugs or controlled substances and have them tested for contaminants, toxic substances, or hazardous compounds; requires the department to establish public health surveillance of the unregulated drug supply; provides exemptions for participants in the drug checking program from certain controlled substance offenses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes public health drug checking program to test for contaminants, reducing harm and supporting harm reduction initiatives within healthcare policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

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