Senate committee advances four substance-use and mental hygiene bills

At its first meeting on Feb. 26, 2025, the Senate Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorder advanced four bills related to substance use disorder treatment and mental hygiene policy. The committee moved each bill by voice vote; the measures were either reported to the Senate calendar or referred to the Finance Committee for further review.

The committee — convened with a quorum and chaired by the committee chair (unnamed in the transcript) — briefly discussed and then advanced the following bills, all sponsored by Senator Fernandez.

S.489 would amend the public health law to require referrals of individuals to appropriate service providers for substance use disorders. The motion to report the measure to the Senate calendar was moved and seconded; the committee used a voice vote. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally. The committee chair reported the bill as "reported to the calendar."

S.1812 would amend the Mental Hygiene Law to create a certification for innovative statewide substance use disorder treatment services. The committee moved and seconded the bill and advanced it by voice vote. The committee chair reported S.1812 as "reported to the calendar." The transcript does not record individual yea or nay counts.

S.2446 would amend the Mental Hygiene Law to establish a wound-care kit and a "XYZ tester" distribution program. A motion to advance the bill was moved and seconded; the measure was reported to the Finance Committee for further review. The transcript records voice approval but does not include a roll-call vote.

S.3632 would amend the Mental Hygiene Law to establish a Problem Gambling Advisory Council. The committee moved and seconded the bill and the chair reported it "reported to the calendar." The record shows voice votes only.

All four bills were handled during a single short session. Several procedural exchanges appear in the transcript (members confirming they had vote sheets and a quorum; a brief exchange about recording an "aye" on the first bill), but no substantive floor debate, amendments, or public testimony on the measures is recorded in the transcript provided. The committee adjourned after reporting the bills or referring S.2446 to Finance for further consideration.

Next steps: bills reported to the calendar may be scheduled for consideration by the full Senate; S.2446 will undergo Finance Committee review, according to the committee's stated referrals in the session record.