What's happening
This bill extends the requirement for hospitals to offer hepatitis C testing in New York until January 1, 2026.
Why it matters
Extending hepatitis C testing requirements means more opportunities for early detection and treatment. , potentially reducing rates of liver disease, cancer, and transmission for at-risk populations.
Keeping the mandate in place until 2026 allows New York to continue collecting public health data. on hepatitis C prevalence and intervention effectiveness, which can guide future policies and resource allocation.
Hospitals and healthcare providers will need to maintain protocols for offering hepatitis C tests. , which might involve ongoing staff training, administrative costs, and patient education efforts.
The extension signals New York's commitment to addressing hepatitis C as a public health priority. , which may influence awareness campaigns, funding decisions, and broader efforts to combat infectious diseases.
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Who cares
Hospitals
The bill would extend the law requiring hospitals to offer hepatitis C testing by moving its repeal date from January 1, 2020, to January 1, 2026.
Patients offered hepatitis C testing in hospitals
The bill would keep the testing-offer requirement in place until January 1, 2026.
New York State Department of Health
The bill would extend the life of the testing law that the health commissioner is authorized to implement through rules and regulations.
Headline styles
Extend Hepatitis C Testing Law
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Substituted by A7671
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1111
- 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.
Extend Hepatitis C Testing Law
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Kenneth Zebrowski
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6029
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 16, 2019
Introduced by Sen. RIVERA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend chapter 425 of the laws of 2013, amending the public health law relating to requiring hospitals to offer hepatitis C testing, in relation to the effectiveness thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 3 of chapter 425 of the laws of 2013, amending the public health law relating to requiring hospitals to offer hepatitis C testing, is amended to read as follows:
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law and shall expire and be deemed repealed January 1, [2020] 2026; provided, however, that the commissioner of health is authorized to adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement this act prior to such effective date.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11520-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend chapter 425 of the laws of 2013, amending the public health law relating to requiring hospitals to offer hepatitis C testing, in relation to the effectiveness thereof
Purpose
To provide increased opportunities for patients to be tested for hepati- tis C, so they can seek appropriate treatment if needed.
Summary of provisions
This bill would extend the sunset provisions in Chapter 425 of the Laws of 2013 for an additional six years, until January 1, 2026. Chapter 425 of the Laws of 2013 established a testing and referral requirement for hepatitis C in hospitals for individuals born between 1945 and 1965 unless the individual is being treated for a life threatening emergency or has previously been offered or tested or they lack the ability to consent. It also provides that should a screening test be positive or reactive, the provider shall offer follow-up health care including a hepatitis C diagnostic test or refer the individual to a provider who can.
Justification
This bill would continue an important practice that requires hospitals to offer hepatitis C testing. According to the CDC, there is an esti- mated 3.5 million Americans infected with hepatitis C and roughly half of them are unaware of their condition. There have been great advances over the past few years in treatments for hepatitis C and it is impor- tant that individuals are aware of their condition. By continuing this practice, which provides additional testing opportunities, this legis- lation will ensure that more individuals living with hepatitis C become aware of their status and seek available treatment.
Legislative history
New legislation.
Fiscal implications
None noted.
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.