January 12, 2025
In addition to the information/announcements (below) please see the attached documents from the National Council entitled ‘Road to the 119th: New Year, New Congress”. We sent the last installment of this new briefing document to all members in December 2024. See attached in case you missed it from us in mid-December. It focused on the final days of the 118th Congress.
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HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently posted a new advisory on Contingency Management (CM) titled, Using SAMHSA Funds to Implement Evidence-Based Contingency Management Services, describing the change in funding and applicable guardrails for CM.
SAMHSA now allows recipients of a SAMHSA grant that authorizes SAMHSA-approved CM activities in treating substance use conditions, to provide a motivational incentive value of up to $750 per patient, per year, subject to the requirements and safeguards provided in the advisory. At this time, the change in funding applies only to the State Opioid Response (SOR) and Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grants (subject to an update to grant terms and conditions).
CM has been in use for years and studied in great detail. Those studies demonstrate the efficacy of CM, especially for those trying to overcome stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamines.
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Here’s an article from the January 10 online version of The Nation discussing what it describes as the hidden workforce shortage (focusing on DSPs) that is putting people with disabilities at risk:
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The NY State of Health (NYSOH) has begun posting quarterly reports on its website that contain the number of pharmacies, hospitals, labs, primary care, and behavioral health providers Qualified Health Plan and/or Essential Plan insurers have in a participating county. These reports can be found here. The reports are compiled based on information submitted to NY State of Health by the health insurers and have been reviewed to remove duplicates.
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Federal mental health parity bill returns: 5 things to know
Rylee Wilson, Becker’s, Jan. 3, 2025
A bill to address a slate of mental health initiatives has been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Calif., revived the Mental Health Matters Act Jan. 3, according to a news release.
Here are five things to know about the proposed legislation:
- The bill is an updated version of a 2022 bill. The legislation passed the House, but stalled in the Senate.
- In 2022, the bill passed the House of Representatives on a largely party-line vote, according to The Hill. One Republican joined 219 Democrats in voting for the legislation.
- The proposed legislation targets several mental health initiatives, including efforts to recruit more mental health professionals to public schools.
- The bill would also strengthen the ability of the Department of Labor to enforce mental health parity standards for private health plans. This provision was a sticking point in the 2022 version of the bill.
“Providing [the Department of Labor] with the authority to level civil monetary penalties against plans and increase their risk of litigation will only force plans to drop mental health coverage,” Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., said of the bill in 2022, according to The Hill.
- In 2022, the Congressional Budget Office estimated the bill would have no direct effect on federal spending.
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Bill Intros/Re-IntrosWhile a brief summary of the legislation (below) is included, full text of the legislation is available upon entering the bill number in the search field included at the top of the following page: Click Here to Find Bill Text and Memo
| A1267 | Rozic — Establishes an essential workers’ bill of rights No same as SUMM : Add §202-m, Lab L Establishes an essential workers’ bill of rights; provides that all employers shall provide essential workers with personal protective equipment, inform such workers of exposure to any disease related to a state disaster emergency, and not retaliate for any report of an unsafe work environment; provides certain employers shall make hazard payments and cover the costs of any child care or health care needed by such essential workers for the duration of the state disaster emergency. 01/09/25 referred to labor |
| A1269 | Steck — Relates to funding for services of the office of addiction services and supports No same as SUMM : Amd §§25.03 & 25.11, Ment Hyg L Relates to funding for services of the office of addiction services and supports. 01/09/25 referred to alcoholism and drug abuse |
| A1359 | Paulin — Relates to the establishment of rates of payment for medical assistance for needy persons (PERTAINS TO RATES SET BY DOH) No same as SUMM : Amd §§2807 & 2807-c, Pub Health L; amd §364-j, add §363-g, Soc Serv L Requires the commissioner of health to set rates of payment for medical assistance for needy persons to reflect more current base year information. 01/09/25 referred to health |
| A1360 | Dinowitz — Expands health care plan contract coverage for any health care provider for one hundred twenty days after the termination of such contract No same as SUMM : Amd §4406-c, Pub Health L Expands health care plan contract coverage for any health care provider for one hundred twenty days after the termination of such contract. 01/09/25 referred to health |
| A1390 | Meeks — Authorizes the transfer of pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals to residential treatment facilities No same as SUMM : Add §72-d, amd §73, Cor L Authorizes the transfer of pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals to residential treatment facilities; requires annual reporting on the number of such incarcerated individuals transferred. 01/09/25 referred to correction |
| A1466 | Paulin (MS) — Provides for establishment of the New York Health plan No same as SUMM : Ren Art 50 §§5000 – 5003 to be Art 80 §§8000 – 8003, add Art 51 §§5100 – 5111, Art 49 Title 3 §§4920 – 4928, amd §270, Pub Health L; add §89-l, St Fin L Establishes the New York Health program, a comprehensive system of access to health insurance for New York state residents; provides for administrative structure of the plan; provides for powers and duties of the board of trustees, the scope of benefits, payment methodologies and care coordination; establishes the New York Health Trust Fund which would hold monies from a variety of sources to be used solely to finance the plan; enacts provisions relating to financing of New York Health, including a payroll assessment, similar to the Medicare tax; establishes a temporary commission on implementation of the plan; provides for collective negotiations by health care providers with New York Health. 01/09/25 referred to health |
| A1477 | Slater — Allows withdrawals from family tuition accounts to pay for treatment of substance use disorder for the designated beneficiary Same as S 977 ROLISON SUMM : Amd §695-e, Ed L Allows withdrawals from family tuition accounts to pay for treatment of substance use disorder, including detoxification and rehabilitation for the designated beneficiary. 01/10/25 referred to higher education |
| A1484 | Steck — Enacts the model overdose mapping and response act No same as SUMM : Add §3309-c, Pub Health L Enacts the model overdose mapping and response act. 01/10/25 referred to health |
| A1519 | Weprin (MS) — Relates to persons authorized to visit inmate-patient facilities of the department of mental hygiene Same as S 728 GALLIVAN SUMM : Amd §29.27, Ment Hyg L Authorizes the governor and lieutenant-governor, commissioner of general services, secretary of state, comptroller, attorney general, and members of the legislature, provided that such request does not impact upon the department’s ability to manage its facilities as determined by the director of the facility, to visit any facility designated by the commissioner of mental health for care and treatment. 01/10/25 referred to mental health |
| A1522 | Weprin — Requires the office of addiction services and supports to encourage, aid, and facilitate clinical research into the use of ibogaine in drug treatment No same as SUMM : Amd §19.07, Ment Hyg L Requires the office of addiction services and supports to encourage, aid, and facilitate clinical research into the use of ibogaine in drug treatment for heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine addiction. 01/10/25 referred to alcoholism and drug abuse |
| A1579 | Jackson — Relates to prohibiting certain suicide prevention and mental health services hotlines from being automated Same as S 1366 SERRANO SUMM : Amd §7.09, Ment Hyg L Directs the commissioner of the office of mental health to promulgate rules and regulations prohibiting any suicide prevention or mental health services hotline operated or sponsored by the state from being automated. 01/10/25 referred to mental health |
| A1589 | Clark — Provides for mental health screening and creating a presumption that post-traumatic stress disorder is proximately caused by employment for law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel No same as SUMM : Add Art 48 §§48.01 – 48.05, Ment Hyg L Provides for mental health screening; creates a presumption that post-traumatic stress disorder is proximately caused by employment for law enforcement officers and emergency medical services personnel. 01/10/25 referred to mental health |
| A1647 | Rosenthal — Relates to decriminalizing the possession of buprenorphine No same as SUMM : Amd §220.00, Pen L Decriminalizes the possession of buprenorphine from certain crimes. 01/10/25 referred to codes |
| A1660 | Taylor — Relates to mandatory continuing education for teachers relating to mental health issues No same as SUMM : Amd §7.23, Ment Hyg L; amd §3006-a, Ed L Requires the development of course materials for mandatory continuing education for teachers relating to mental health issues. 01/10/25 referred to education |
| S1366 | SERRANO — Relates to prohibiting certain suicide prevention and mental health services hotlines from being automated Same as A 1579 Jackson SUMM : Amd §7.09, Ment Hyg L Directs the commissioner of the office of mental health to promulgate rules and regulations prohibiting any suicide prevention or mental health services hotline operated or sponsored by the state from being automated. 01/09/25 REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH |
| S1430 | STEC — Requires insurance and Medicaid coverage for inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment for a period of not less than forty-five days No same as SUMM : Amd §§3216, 3221 & 4303, Ins L; amd §365-a, Soc Serv L Requires insurance and Medicaid coverage for inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment for a period of not less than forty-five days. 01/09/25 REFERRED TO INSURANCE |
| S1468 | SERRANO — Relates to the provision of patient health information and medical records No same as SUMM : Amd §§17 & 18, Pub Health L; amd §33.16, Ment Hyg L Relates to the provision of patient health information and medical records; expands the definition of medical records to include all health related records; prohibits fees for providing certain records. 01/10/25 REFERRED TO HEALTH |
| S1580 | PERSAUD — Adds certain human services programs to the designated human services programs eligible for a cost of living adjustment No same as SUMM : Adds certain human services programs to the designated human services programs eligible for a cost of living adjustment. 01/10/25 REFERRED TO FINANCE |
| A504 | Steck — Requires quarterly reporting on the amounts awarded and received from the opioid settlement fund No same as SUMM : Amd §25.18, Ment Hyg L Requires quarterly reporting on the opioid settlement fund, including the names of the recipients and the amounts awarded and received. Last Act: 01/08/25 referred to alcoholism & drug abuse |
| A506 | Paulin — Relates to state agency contracts with not-for-profit corporations No same as SUMM : Amd §§179-q, 179-t & 179-bb, St Fin L Defines noncompliant state agency; provides for timelines and procedures for state agency contracts involving not-for-profit corporations. Last Act: 01/08/25 referred to governmental operations |
| A521 | Steck — Establishes the “recovery ready workplace act” No same as 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. Last Act: 01/08/25 referred to alcoholism & drug abuse |
| A610 | Gonzalez-Rojas — Requires the department of education to develop school health and mental health professionals to student ratios in public schools No same as SUMM : Amd §305, Ed L Requires the department of education to develop school health and mental health professionals to student ratios in public schools for students who do not receive services pursuant to the individuals with disabilities education act. Last Act: 01/08/25 referred to education |
| A658 | Rosenthal — Relates to requiring homeless shelters to keep an opioid antagonist on hand, have at least one trained employee on duty at all times, and develop a training plan for opioid overdoses No same as SUMM : Add Art 2-A Title 3 §47, Soc Serv L Requires homeless shelters to keep an opioid antagonist on hand at all times and trained personnel when required by applicable law, regulation, code, or operating plan approved by a social services district or the commissioner otherwise requires employees to be at the premises; sets out the requirements for the training of those employees; develops a training plan for opioid overdoses in conjunction with a registered opioid overdose prevention program. Last Act: 01/08/25 referred to social services |
| A661 | Steck — Requires hospitals to provide medically supervised detoxification services No same as SUMM : Amd §2803-u, Pub Health L Requires hospitals to provide medically supervised detoxification services to all patients requiring such services; provides, that if the hospital is at ninety percent capacity or greater, such hospital shall connect the patient to an alternative facility within such patient’s network to access such medically supervised detoxification services without any increased risk to the health or life of the patient. Last Act: 01/08/25 referred to health |
| A701 | Gonzalez-Rojas — Repeals the requirement that applicants must pass an examination in order to qualify as a licensed master social worker No same as SUMM : Rpld §7704 sub 1 ¶(d), Ed L Repeals the requirement that applicants must pass an examination in order to qualify as a licensed master social worker. Last Act: 01/08/25 referred to higher education |
| A718 | Hevesi — Relates to incorporating the cost of living adjustment into subsequent maximum state aid rates for providing care to foster children No same as SUMM : Amd §398-a, Soc Serv L Relates to incorporating the cost of living adjustment into subsequent annual maximum state aid base rates for providing care to foster children. Last Act: 01/08/25 referred to children and families |
| A780 | Berger — Enacts the “Supervising Upcoming Professionals for Practice in Official Roles in Therapy (SUPPORT) act” No same as SUMM : Amd §7704, Ed L Enacts the “Supervising Upcoming Professionals for Practice in Official Roles in Therapy (SUPPORT) act”; provides that for licensure as a clinical social worker, an applicant may satisfy the experience requirements under supervision of a mental health practitioner who has been granted the privilege to diagnose and develop assessment-based treatment plans under article one hundred sixty-three of the education law. Last Act: 01/08/25 referred to higher education |
| S845 | SALAZAR — Establishes the “Maternal Health, Dignity and Consent act” No same as SUMM : Add §2509-b, Pub Health L Prohibits drug, cannabis or alcohol testing and screening of pregnant or postpartum individuals and newborns unless the individual consents and it is within the scope of medical care, or the testing or screening is necessary for a medical emergency. Last Act: 01/08/25 REFERRED TO WOMENS ISSUES |
| S891 | SEPULVEDA — Directs the department of social services to establish a centralized homelessness crisis response data system No same as SUMM : Amd §20, Soc Serv L Directs the department of social services to establish a centralized homelessness crisis response data system through which state agencies, local governmental entities, including law enforcement agencies, court systems, school districts, and emergency service providers, and other relevant persons are able to share and access information related to individuals who experience chronic homelessness in order to connect or refer such individuals to services including affordable housing opportunities. Last Act: 01/08/25 REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES |
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