Healthcare

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 Jan 7, 2026

S 6074: Establishes the Sickle cell disease education and mapping program

Establishes the sickle cell disease education and mapping program to promote the screening and detection of sickle cell disease, educate the public regarding sickle cell disease, provide counseling and referral services and map locations of occurrence of sickle cell disease.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes public health program for sickle cell disease screening, education, and mapping, directly enhancing patient access and public health initiatives.95% confidence

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8061: Provides for mental health counseling for correction officers and civilian staff in correctional facilities

Directs the commissioner of corrections and community supervision, in consultation with the commissioner of mental health, to make mental health counseling available to all correction officers and civilian staff in correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides mental health support for correctional staff, enhancing facility safety and staff well-being within corrections - aligns with reform goals to improve system effectiveness and reduce incidents.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates mental health counseling access for correctional staff, directly advancing mental health services as a core healthcare component.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 12, 2025

A 5392: Expands the definition of epinephrine devices to include epinephrine nasal sprays

Defines epinephrine device as a single-use device or nasal spray device used for the automatic injection or administration of a premeasured dose of epinephrine into the human body for the purpose of emergency treatment of a person appearing to experience anaphylactic symptoms.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to emergency anaphylaxis treatment via nasal sprays, enhancing patient access to critical care.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate May 20, 2025

S 3805: Relates to payment for rapid whole genome sequencing

Directs the commissioner of social services to authorize the payment of medical assistance funds for rapid whole genome sequencing for persons under twenty-one years of age under certain medical circumstances.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects payment for rapid whole genome sequencing under medical assistance, expanding pediatric genetic testing coverage and improving access to specialized diagnostics.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6016: Provides for loan forgiveness for social workers

Provides for loan forgiveness for social workers who commit to work in counties with less than two hundred thousand population, or towns which have a population of less than one hundred fifty persons per square mile for the duration of the award.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSocial workers provide mental health services; loan forgiveness incentivizes workforce in underserved areas, improving healthcare access as per topic description.85% confidence

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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 · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1825: Waives a registration fee for basic life support first response agencies

This bill waives a $200 biennial registration fee for basic life support first response agencies that provide emergency medical services without transporting patients. It directly affects volunteer ambulance services and similar agencies defined under New York's public health law as "basic life support first response agencies." The key provision amends health law to exempt these agencies from paying the microscopy registration fee required for certain medical testing services. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareWaives $200 fee for volunteer EMS agencies, reducing operational costs to maintain emergency medical services access under public health law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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