What's happening
This bill requires health insurance policies in New York to cover GPS tracking devices for children with developmental disabilities when prescribed by a healthcare provider.
Why it matters
Addresses a real safety concern. The bill recognizes that some children with developmental disabilities are at increased risk of wandering or getting lost, and that GPS tracking devices can be a critical tool for their safety and peace of mind for their families.
Removes a financial barrier. By requiring insurance coverage for GPS tracking devices when prescribed, the law ensures that cost will not prevent families from accessing potentially life-saving technology, especially for lower-income households.
Standardizes access across insurers. The amendment applies to all major types of health insurance in New York, reducing disparities and ensuring that access to these devices does not depend on a family's specific insurance provider or plan.
Requires medical oversight. Coverage is only mandated when a licensed healthcare provider writes a formal order stating the device is necessary for the child's welfare, which helps ensure that devices are provided based on individualized clinical need rather than general demand.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Cover Tracking Devices for Kids
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
9 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to insurance
- Referred to insurance
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6368
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 6, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. TITONE, DINOWITZ, OTIS, ABINANTI, MOSLEY, JAFFEE, COOK, GALEF, CRESPO, SEPULVEDA -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. DiPIETRO, GIGLIO, McLAUGHLIN, PERRY, ROZIC, SIMOTAS, SOLAGES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Insurance
AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to mandatory health insurance coverage for tracking devices for children with developmental disabilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new paragraph 34 to read as follows:
(34) Every policy which provides medical, major medical, or similar comprehensive type coverage shall include coverage for GPS tracking devices to be used on children with developmental disabilities, provided that the treating physician or other licensed health care provider issues a written order stating such device is necessary for the child's welfare.
§ 2. Subsection (l) of section 3221 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new paragraph 20 to read as follows:
(20) Every policy which provides medical, major medical, or similar comprehensive type coverage shall include coverage for GPS tracking devices to be used on children with developmental disabilities, provided that the treating physician or other licensed health care provider issues a written order stating such device is necessary for the child's welfare.
§ 3. Section 4303 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new subsection (rr) to read as follows:
(rr) Every policy which provides medical, major medical, or similar comprehensive type coverage shall include coverage for GPS tracking devices to be used on children with developmental disabilities, provided that the treating physician or other licensed health care provider
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09210-01-7
A. 6368 2
issues a written order stating such device is necessary for the child's welfare.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law and shall apply to policies and contracts issued, renewed, modified, altered or amended on or after such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.