Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorder reports four bills affecting treatment, privacy and rural providers

The Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorder met Wednesday, March 12 and reported four bills to downstream committees and the calendar, the committee said during a brief session that included procedural motions and unanimous verbal assent on multiple items.

A committee member opened the meeting noting budget provisions passed in the Assembly that the member said reflect the committee's recent efforts, including changing terminology from “addict” to “person with substance use disorder,” allowing emergency medical services to administer a three-day supply of buprenorphine, permitting hospitals to give a three-day supply on discharge, and codifying the state’s drug-checking system. The committee was joined for the meeting by Senators Pete Harcombe, Monica Martinez and Rob Rawlinson, the member said.

The committee then moved through four bills, each with limited discussion before a motion, a second and a voice vote or procedural report.

S.18919 (sponsored by Sen. Fernandez) would amend the criminal procedure law to change privacy and confidentiality rules for test results performed under a judicial diversion program. The committee moved the bill and reported it to the Codes Committee; no roll-call tally or named mover/second was recorded in the transcript.

S.4948 (sponsored by Sen. Harcombe) would amend the Mental Hygiene Law to provide reimbursement for nonmedical peer-support services for individuals with substance use disorder. The motion to move the bill was seconded, members responded “aye,” and the bill was reported to the Finance Committee.

S.4950 (sponsored by Sen. Harcombe) would amend the Mental Hygiene Law relating to payment for services at addiction treatment centers operated by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports. The committee moved and seconded the bill, members responded in the affirmative, and the bill was reported to the Finance Committee.

S.5105 (sponsored by Sen. Harcombe) would amend the Mental Hygiene Law directing the commissioner of the Office of Addiction Services and Supports to promulgate rules and regulations for providers operating in rural locations. The bill was moved, seconded and reported to the calendar.

The meeting record shows procedural affirmative responses (“aye”) on several motions but does not record roll-call vote counts or the names of members who moved or seconded the motions. The transcript contains no substantive debate on the bills’ policy details beyond the introductory descriptions and the earlier opening remarks about budget provisions. The committee adjourned after reporting the four bills.

Votes at a glance: • S.18919 (Fernandez) — Amend Criminal Procedure Law re: confidentiality of judicial-diversion test results; outcome: reported to Codes Committee; mover/second: not specified; vote tally: not specified. • S.4948 (Harcombe) — Amend Mental Hygiene Law to reimburse nonmedical peer-support services; outcome: reported to Finance Committee; mover/second: not specified; vote tally: voice vote recorded (“aye”), exact count not specified. • S.4950 (Harcombe) — Amend Mental Hygiene Law for payment to OASAS-run addiction treatment centers; outcome: reported to Finance Committee; mover/second: not specified; vote tally: voice vote recorded (“aye”), exact count not specified. • S.5105 (Harcombe) — Amend Mental Hygiene Law directing OASAS commissioner to adopt rules for rural providers; outcome: reported to the calendar; mover/second: not specified; vote tally: voice vote recorded (“aye”), exact count not specified.

The meeting transcript indicates the committee spent limited time on each item and did not record substantive amendments or extended public discussion during the session. No implementation deadlines, dollar amounts, or detailed fiscal notes were provided in the transcript.