S6693B

The Senate laid aside S6693B, an act to amend the Education Law, on a motion by Sen. Lanza. No debate or vote occurred on the measure.

The New York State Senate passed legislation expanding the scope of practice for podiatrists to include total ankle replacements, with a 47-12 vote. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jackson and defended on the floor by Sen. Stavisky, aims to retain trained podiatrists in New York by allowing procedures they are already permitted to perform in 40 other states. Stavisky noted that podiatrists receive four years of college, four years of specialized school, and three years of hospital residency, yet 85 percent of graduates from New York's sole podiatry school in Harlem leave the state for residencies elsewhere. The legislation has been under discussion since 2012. However, the bill faced significant opposition from 12 senators and 11 major medical organizations, including the Medical Society of the State of New York, the American College of Surgeons, and the Society of Orthopedic Surgeons, which cited patient safety concerns and questioned whether podiatrists have adequate training for ankle replacement surgery. Sen. Helming suggested waiting for results from a separate study bill before proceeding. The bill takes effect 18 months after becoming law.