December 9, 2025
Bills of interest that were transmitted yesterday to the Governor for final action include those listed below. You can review the bills by typing in the Assembly bill # at this link: https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/
Please let us know if you have any questions or objections to the legislation described below that awaits final action.
Notes:
1) Regarding the first bill on the list (insurance claims reimbursement and insurer payment via virtual credit cards, etc.) the justification for the legislation as summarized by the bill sponsor is directly below in the grey shaded box.
2) Regarding the Weprin bill A7038A – re: fee schedules – The legislation would require the Office of Addiction Services and Supports and the Office of Mental Health to publish a fee schedule for commercial health plans to pay claims related to coverage enacted in Part AA of Chapter 57 of the Laws of 2024 (the commercial rate mandate).
JUSTIFICATION - A3986A As alternative payment methods increase, provider choice in payment method decreases. Payment types such as virtual credit cards may apply higher processing fees than those agreed upon for regular credit cards under insurer-provider contracts. As a result, providers are left to deal with bank charges and other fees levied to counter the evolving software and security needs for new payment types. Unless insurers are required to seek permission, they often begin paying providers using costly alternative payment types without providing any notice. To increase transparency and provider choice, this legislation would require insurers give appropriate notice and allow providers to elect to utilize an alternative payment method for claims.
| A3986A |
Bores — Relates to the use of virtual credit cards by insurers and certain health care plans Same as S 2105-A COONEY SUMM : Amd §§3217-b & 4325, Ins L; amd §4406-c, Pub Health L Authorizes an insurer to pay a claim for reimbursement made by a provider |
| A6721A | Griffin — Enacts the “Lieutenant Joseph Banish mental health act” Same as S 6244-A SKOUFIS SUMM : Add §837-z, Exec L Enacts the “Lieutenant Joseph Banish mental health act” which establishes a law enforcement peer support program to provide confidentiality for communications arising out of law enforcement peer support counseling; defines terms; provides exceptions for when a peer support communication may be disclosed. 03/11/25 referred to judiciary 05/28/25 amend and recommit to judiciary 05/28/25 print number 6721a 06/04/25 reported referred to rules 06/06/25 reported 06/06/25 rules report cal.444 06/06/25 ordered to third reading rules cal.444 06/06/25 passed assembly 06/06/25 delivered to senate 06/06/25 REFERRED TO RULES 06/10/25 SUBSTITUTED FOR S6244A 06/10/25 3RD READING CAL.597 06/10/25 PASSED SENATE 06/10/25 RETURNED TO ASSEMBLY 12/08/25 delivered to governor |
| A7038A | Weprin — Requires rates paid for rehabilitation and opioid treatment be pursuant to certain fee schedules published by the office of addiction services and supports Same as S 6897-A BAILEY SUMM : Amd §§3216, 3221 & 4303, Ins L Requires rates paid for rehabilitation and opioid treatment be pursuant to certain fee schedules published by the office of addiction services and supports. 03/18/25 referred to insurance 04/02/25 reported 04/03/25 advanced to third reading cal.96 04/29/25 amended on third reading 7038a 05/20/25 passed assembly 05/20/25 delivered to senate 05/20/25 REFERRED TO INSURANCE 06/12/25 SUBSTITUTED FOR S6897A 06/12/25 3RD READING CAL.926 06/12/25 PASSED SENATE 06/12/25 RETURNED TO ASSEMBLY 12/08/25 delivered to governor |
| S1226/A6004 Simon | RIVERA — Requires public notice and public engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or a unit that provides maternity, mental health or substance use care Same as A 6004 Simon SUMM : Amd §2801-g, Pub Health L Requires public notice and public engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or a unit that provides maternity, mental health or substance use care. 01/08/25 REFERRED TO HEALTH 01/21/25 1ST REPORT CAL.127 01/22/25 2ND REPORT CAL. 01/27/25 ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 05/20/25 PASSED SENATE 05/20/25 DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY 05/20/25 referred to ways and means 06/09/25 substituted for a6004 06/09/25 ordered to third reading rules cal.503 06/10/25 passed assembly 06/10/25 returned to senate 12/08/25 DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR |
A521 – Steck — Establishes the “recovery ready workplace act”
Same as S 3740-A FERNANDEZ
SUMM : Add §32.40, Ment Hyg L Establishes the “recovery ready workplace act” which provides for the certification of an employer to become a recovery ready workplace; defines terms; establishes the recovery-ready workplace program; provides criteria for employers to obtain certification as a recovery ready workplace; provides for employee involvement.
01/08/25 referred to alcoholism and drug abuse
02/11/25 reported referred to ways and means
05/27/25 reported referred to rules
05/29/25 reported
05/29/25 rules report cal.282
05/29/25 ordered to third reading rules cal.282
05/29/25 passed assembly
05/29/25 delivered to senate
05/29/25 REFERRED TO ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
06/10/25 SUBSTITUTED FOR S3740A
06/10/25 3RD READING CAL.1616
06/10/25 PASSED SENATE
06/10/25 RETURNED TO ASSEMBLY
12/08/25 delivered to governor