The NYS Council tracks legislation and regulations of interest to our members and advocates on behalf our members, our communities, and the patients we serve.
For additional information on legislation, go to NYS Senate Legislative Bill Search or the NYS Assembly Legislative Bill Search and enter the bill number.
For additional information on regulations, go to the NYS State Register.
During the 2021-22 Legislative Session, the following bills of interest to NYS Council members were acted upon by the Governor:
S.4817a/A.1141a – Signed into Law on November 12, 2021
Repeals the redundant new double filing requirement for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
S.1957-A/A.5719-A – Signed into Law on March 29, 2021
Expands access to Veterans Treatment Courts across New York State, allowing qualifying justice-involved veterans in counties that lack a Veterans Treatment Court to have their cases transferred into an existing Veterans Treatment Court in a neighboring county.
A7405 By Bronson, Harry B. – Signed into Law on June 24, 2021
Relates to extending certain exemptions for persons employed as mental health practitioners, psychologists and social workers.
During the 2019-20 Legislative Session, the following bills of interest to NYS Council members were acted upon by the Governor:
S4741B HARCKHAM, Same as A9536 McDonald – Signed into Law on November 11, 2020
Enacts “Stephen’s law” which requires certified treatment programs to notify patients of their right to name an emergency contact.
A10741 Rules (Glick), Same as S 8632 STAVISKY – Signed into Law on September 21, 2020
Relates to permitting the education department to renew limited and provisional permits for an additional twelve months, including dentists, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, midwives, licensed clinical social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, massage therapists, mental health practitioners, respiratory therapists, respiratory therapist assistants, clinical laboratory technicians, and applied behavior analysts.
S8363 Harckham, Same as A10509 Rules – Signed into Law on June 17, 2020
Includes the commissioner of addiction services and supports as a member of the disaster preparedness commission.
S8397A Savino, Same as A10326-A Reyes – Signed into Law on June 17, 2020
Prohibits health care employers from penalizing employees because of complaints of employer violations.
S8416 Metzger, Same as A10404-A Rosenthal L – Signed into Law June 17, 2020
Includes audio-only and video-only telehealth and telemedicine services in those telehealth and telemedicine services eligible for reimbursement.
S05935A, Harckham, Same as A07246-B, Biaggi – Vetoed on January 1, 2020
This bill would have prohibited Prior Authorization (PA) for certain SUD medications (MAT) for New Yorkers enrolled in Medicaid.
A2904 Quart, Same as S4808 Weprin – Signed into Law on December 31, 2019
Prohibits prior authorization for certain medications used in the treatment of substance use disorders in most commercial insurance policies.
S3421A – Savino, Same as A00648-A, May – Vetoed on November 20, 2019
This bill would have made care and services provided by licensed mental health practitioners (LMHPs – including LMFTs and LMHCs) eligible for coverage under the Medicaid Program.
A7128 Paulin, Same as S5450 Bailey – Signed into Law on September 13, 2019
Relates to treatment programs and treatment court during interim probation supervision.
A7347 Rosenthal L, Same as S6591 Harckham – Signed into Law on September 13, 2019
Relates to renaming the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services to be the office of addiction services and supports.
A7671 Zebrowski, Same as S6029 Rivera – Signed into Law on September 13, 2019
Relates to extending the repeal date for hepatitis C testing in hospitals.
S6164A CARLUCCI, Same as A8087 Gunther – Signed into Law on September 13, 2019
Provides a process for the commissioner to authorize transfer of patients in mental health facilities upon a verdict of not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect, to a foreign nation upon request.