Health committee reports two dozen bills to first reading or finance; roundup of actions

The Senate Standing Committee on Health on May 20, 2025, considered and reported a series of bills addressing public health, social services, nursing-home policy, provider reimbursement and medical-practice rules. Committee members moved each bill and recorded committee-level outcomes by voice vote; most measures were reported either to first reading or to the Senate Finance Committee for further review.

Key committee actions (by bill number, short description, committee outcome):

- S.1858-A (amend Social Services Law and Mental Hygiene Law regarding violations of safety conditions in adult care facilities) — reported to first reading.

- S.3105 (amend Cannabis Law relating to certain medical cannabis reforms and reciprocity) — reported to first reading.

- S.3285 (create Department of Health Education and Outreach Program on Reproductive Health Services) — reported to Finance.

- S.3355-A (amend public health law re: digital healthcare service platforms and definition of temporary healthcare services agency) — reported to first reading.

- S.3360 (permit close friend to make anatomical gift of a deceased body; amend public health law) — reported to first reading.

- S.3366 (amend public health law on hospital establishment and review of controlling interests) — reported to first reading.

- S.3805 (amend Social Services Law re: payments; seeks CMS approval for Medicaid coverage of rapid whole genome sequencing) — reported to Finance.

- S.3822 (clarify scope of practice tasks for nurse practitioners across multiple laws) — reported to first reading.

- S.3898 (require autism-spectrum disorder examinations beginning at age 12; directs DOH and OPWDD rulemaking) — reported to Finance.

- S.4711 (authorize additional reimbursement to health and dental providers primarily serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities) — reported to Finance.

- S.4955-A (amend public health law on functions of the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General) — reported to Finance.

- S.505015 (apply special Medicaid rate for relief seats at nursing homes) — reported to Finance.

- S.5225 (collecting and reporting sexual offense evidence on the statewide electronic tracking system) — reported to first reading.

- S.5339 (dentist loan repayment and practice support) — reported to Finance.

- S.5369 (establish Nursing Home and Worker Recruitment and Safety Fund; allow limited asset withdrawals as incentive for safe staffing) — reported to Finance.

- S.5534 (prohibit Medicaid prior authorization for HIV medication) — reported to first reading.

- S.5744 (increase monetary penalties for public health-law violations; dedicate fines to nursing home quality improvement demonstration program) — reported to first reading.

- S.6288-B (require general hospitals to provide language assistance services and create a language-assistance coordinator position) — reported to first reading.

- S.6375-A (require good-faith estimate disclosure for medical costs at admission) — reported to first reading.

- S.7782 (contract for visualization and indexing of certain vital records for genealogical use) — reported to first reading.

- S.7859 (expand assisted living program capacity by nine or fewer beds via expedited process) — reported to Finance.

Procedural notes: committee action on these bills was by motion, second and voice vote as recorded in the transcript. Several bills were described briefly by title only; where sponsor remarks were offered, the transcript records short explanations of purpose (for example, language-access requirements, dentist loan repayment program, and provisions tied to nursing-home penalties and demonstration programs).

No roll-call tallies by senator were recorded in the committee transcript for these items; the committee recorded the bills as reported either to first reading or to Finance as indicated above. Any bill advanced to Finance will be subject to further review, potential amendment, and fiscal analysis by that committee before floor consideration.