What's happening
This bill requires New York's Medicaid program to cover treatment for scars caused by domestic violence, including plastic surgery.
Why it matters
Addresses a specific health need for domestic violence survivors by requiring Medicaid to cover both medical and plastic surgery services for scars caused by abuse, helping survivors access care that is often considered cosmetic and not usually covered.
May reduce the long-term psychological and social impacts of visible scarring, supporting survivors' recovery, self-esteem, and ability to move forward after abuse.
Could set a precedent for other states or insurance programs to recognize and cover the hidden costs of domestic violence, signaling a broader commitment to survivor-centered healthcare.
Requires the Department of Health to define what counts as acceptable proof of domestic violence, potentially impacting survivors’ privacy, access, and willingness to seek this type of care.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Treat Scars from Domestic Abuse
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
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.
Treat Scars from Domestic Abuse
In Assembly Committee · Health · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1050
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2019
Introduced by Sen. PERSAUD -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to providing medical assistance to needy persons for the care and treatment of scarring resulting from domestic abuse
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 5 of section 365-a of the social services law is amended by adding a new paragraph (f) to read as follows:
(f) Medical assistance shall include physician services and any surgical services, including plastic surgery, that are necessary to care for and treat any scarring or scar tissue that formed as the result of an incident of domestic violence as defined in section four hundred fiftynine-a of this chapter.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the commissioner of health shall establish rules for acceptable forms of proof of an incident of domestic violence.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00908-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to providing medical assistance to needy persons for the care and treat- ment of scarring resulting from domestic abuse
Purpose
Requires medical assistance to be provided to victims of domestic violence to care for and treat any scarring resulting from the domestic violence incident.
Summary of provisions
Provides coverage under Medicaid for any physician services and surgical services, including plastic surgery, needed to care for scarring suffered by victims of domestic abuse.
Justification
Intimate Partner Violence victims by nature must live with the remnants of physical, emotional, and mental trauma following an abusive relation- ship. Many victims are often left with visible and permanent reminders of their attacks through the scars that result from their injuries. This bill will allow victims to receive coverage that will provide medical services like plastic surgery, which will help alleviate some of the pain and permanent visible damage done by their abuser.
Legislative history
2015/2016: Referred to Health 2013/2014: Referred to Health 2011/2012: Referred to Health (S.1380) 2009/2010: Referred to Social Service; Health; Finance (S.1179) 2007/2008: Referred to Social Service, Children & Families (S.5171)
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become law, with provisions.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.