A5984B

The Senate unanimously passed Assembly Bill 5984B, amending the Public Health Law to align New York State regulations with federal standards on medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders. The 60-0 vote came after Sen. Fernandez explained that the bill would permit clinicians to dispense three days of buprenorphine and methadone, up from the current 24-hour limit imposed by the state's Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. Fernandez argued the change would significantly reduce barriers to treatment by lowering time and financial burdens, particularly in underserved urban and rural areas where healthcare access is already limited. The bill takes effect 90 days after becoming law.