Senate amends state law language, replacing "addict" with "person with substance use disorder"

Albany — The New York State Senate on May 19, 2025 approved a judiciary-calendar item that replaces the word “addict” in state law with “person with substance use disorder,” a change sponsors said reflects medical understanding and will reduce stigma.

Senator Fernandez, speaking in support on the Senate floor, said the change substitutes a stigmatizing label with a clinical term and noted the historical context: “The term addict entered New York statute in 1972 just as heroin was tearing … a year later, the Rockefeller drug laws, and overnight, stigma entered statute,” she said. Fernandez described substance use disorder as “a chronic relapsing health condition, and the science and lived experience tells us clearly shame does not save lives.”

Why it matters: The amendment revises statutory language across multiple provisions in New York law — a move sponsors described as part of a broader effort to remove punitive framing and better align statutes with modern clinical practice and the experiences of people affected by substance use.

Floor debate and context

Senator Fernandez framed the change as both symbolic and practical, arguing that terminology shapes policy and public perception. “Words shape culture, and culture shapes policy,” she said on the floor. Multiple senators added support: sponsors and colleagues described the change as consistent with prior committee renamings and with ongoing efforts to redirect policy toward treatment and away from stigma and criminalization.

Senator May (floor comments) and Senator Bailey (floor remarks) both expressed support and emphasized the bill’s role in addressing stigma, with Bailey noting the change aligns with the chamber’s broader efforts around addiction as a public-health concern.

Vote and outcome

The judicial calendar item was recorded with 54 ayes and 2 nays; the two recorded negative votes on the transcript were Senators Lanza and Walzick. The clerk announced the bill passed.

Implementation and limits

The change is textual — replacing terminology within statutes — and does not itself create a new treatment program, funding stream, or services. Sponsors told the Senate the language change should be paired with existing treatment and diversion policy but the floor action was limited to amending statutory wording.

Ending

The measure passed the Senate on May 19; for the bill’s final enrolled text and the sections of law amended, refer to the official bill file and the Senate Clerk’s enrolled legislation postings.