What's happening
This bill clarifies that the nurse-family partnership program is not considered home care and is exempt from related regulations.
Why it matters
Reduces regulatory burdens. By exempting the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program from home care regulations (Article 36), the bill allows these nurse home-visiting services to operate with more flexibility and less administrative overhead, potentially making the program easier to administer and expand.
Supports early childhood and maternal health. The NFP program focuses on nurse visits to new and expecting mothers, providing support and case management up to the child’s second birthday. This exemption could help ensure these services are more accessible and tailored to the unique needs of families, rather than being limited by rules designed for traditional home care.
Clarifies legal status. The amendment removes ambiguity about whether NFP falls under home care law, which can help providers, funders, and participants better understand what requirements apply, reducing confusion and possible legal challenges.
Potential for expansion and innovation. By not being tied to home care statutes, the NFP program might have more room to innovate in its service delivery, possibly reaching more families or adopting new best practices without needing to navigate unrelated home care regulations.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Clarify Nurse Program Status
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A8388
- Ordered to third reading cal.1930
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Clarify Nurse Program Status
Vetoed · Sponsor Richard Gottfried
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6656
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 9, 2017
Introduced by Sen. HANNON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to clarifying that the nurse-family partnership program is not home care
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 2530 of the public health law, as added by section 33-a of part C of chapter 58 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follow:
3. The nurse-family partnership program is a nurse home-visiting program in which a nurse-family partnership provider provides case management and nursing services (primarily nurse home visits to participants) to eligible participants up to the child's second birthday. Participation in the program shall be voluntary for eligible participants. The nurse-family partnership program shall not be subject to article thirty-six of this chapter.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13144-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to clarifying that the nurse-family partnership program is not home care
Purpose
To clarify that the nurse-family partnership program is not home care under Article 36 of the Public Health Law.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends subdivision 3 of section 2530 of the Public Health Law to make clear that the nurse-family partnership program shall not be subject to Article 36 of the public health law.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is a voluntary nurse home visiting program for at-risk first-time mothers that is based on decades of research and adheres to an established set of program components and practices. The program produces statistically significant, positive program effects that are repeated and enduring for up to 15 years following the child's birth.
Although NFP services are generally provided in a participant's home, the services do not constitute the services nor meet the kinds of needs that Article 36 applies to. The legislative intent of Art. 36 is that it apply to "a coordinated array of services to patients in their homes, thereby avoiding prolonged institutionalization." That is not the NFP program. (PHL § 3600.)
Expectant mothers are referred to NFP for guidance and education throughout pregnancy, not for assistance with activities of daily living or treatment of an illness or injury. NFP addresses the social determinants of health, including education, financial stability, employment, housing, and health counseling. The education and guidance provided by NFP nurses is intended to prevent or reduce unhealthy behaviors that lead to medical conditions for the mother and/or child by empowering women to take ownership of their own decisions and behaviors. If an NFP client develops medical conditions that require medical care, then she is referred to an appropriate practitioner.
For 14 years, NFP was not regulated as a home care service program under Article 36. However, some have incorrectly interpreted Article 36 as requiring a medical order for a participant to receive NFP services. This creates unnecessary and uncalled for delay and cost. Confirming the distinction between NFP and home care, and making it even clearer that Article 36 does not apply to the NFP program, is vital to the continued success of the program.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.