Sen. Nathalia Fernandez

Spoke in support, praising the vibrant Yemeni community in Van Nest, the Bronx, for its economic contributions including thousands of jobs and diverse businesses. She highlighted the community's resilience against discrimination and noted the upcoming opening of the state's largest mosque, stating the cultural district designation welcomes tourism and honors their contributions to New York.

Described the bill as a common-sense approach that provides more tools in secure locations to help people in medical distress. Emphasized that having first aid kits and AEDs together with Narcan gives responders more options to address whatever the cause of emergency may be.

The bill restores the promise of swift and certain benefits by updating outdated preauthorization limits, clarifying medical treatment guidelines are meant to streamline care not deny treatment, and restoring out-of-network provider access while maintaining cost controls through negotiated rates.

As chair of the Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders, Fernandez argued that designating Overdose Awareness Day demonstrates commitment to evidence-based policies including naloxone access, drug checking tools, and harm reduction. She emphasized that overdose is a public health crisis, not a moral failure, and that the designation honors those lost while supporting those in recovery.

The bill targets anticompetitive pay-for-play agreements that keep generic drugs off the market and inflate costs. By treating these agreements as unlawful and strengthening enforcement, the bill ensures drug companies cannot hide behind legal loopholes while New Yorkers struggle to afford prescriptions.

The bill is supported by over 200 medical professionals and providers. It informs patients of their rights to opt in and out of record sharing, protecting their dignity and healthcare choices without compromising safety.

Sponsor argued the bill codifies an existing program that has provided lifesaving information through real-time drug testing at 13 sites. She emphasized the program's role in addressing the overdose epidemic, particularly in Black and brown communities, and stated it provides legal protections while empowering DOH to monitor drug supply trends.

The bill creates permanent, reliable funding for recovery support services through the Opioid Stewardship Fund, ensuring at least 20 percent goes to recovery services with matching harm reduction investments. She emphasized that federal cuts make this state-level funding stabilization critical to support every step of someone's recovery journey.

The bill addresses the impact of addiction in the workplace by requiring opioid antagonists be available in certain workplaces, similar to first aid materials. This is a lifesaving step that ensures immediate help is available if someone suffers an overdose, giving them a fighting chance for survival.

The bill corrects a technical oversight that creates a loophole excluding Sackler family members from opioid settlement agreements, risking $250 million in New York funding. The legislation clarifies that settlement funds are secured from all parties involved in the prescription drug supply chain who benefited from the opioid crisis.

The bill gives medical providers tools to dispense short-term buprenorphine supplies, providing a critical bridge for patients in crisis to stabilize and access recovery treatment, aligning with federal guidelines.

Sponsor argued the $250 cap on out-of-pocket costs for outpatient substance use disorder treatment prevents financial barriers from discouraging individuals from continuing recovery care, ensuring treatment is sustainable and grounded in public health.

Sponsor argued the bill expands preventative dental care access by allowing parents to apply fluoride varnish at home under clinical supervision, removing barriers like transportation and work conflicts while maintaining professional oversight. She emphasized that tooth decay is a hidden epidemic affecting children's ability to sleep, eat, and focus in school.

The bill flips the legal presumption on pay-for-delay drug settlements from neutral to anticompetitive, requiring companies to prove such agreements benefit the public. She argued this targeted fix addresses billions in consumer costs and months or years of delayed generic drug access.

The bill sponsor explained that changing "addict" to "person with substance use disorder" addresses decades of stigma and criminalization. She noted the term entered statute in 1972 during the heroin crisis and was reinforced by Rockefeller drug laws, leading to mass incarceration instead of treatment. She emphasized that substance use disorder is a chronic health condition and that words shape culture and policy.

The bill fixes a gap in New York law by protecting people too impaired to consent from sexual assault, regardless of whether they voluntarily became intoxicated or were drugged. Justice should not depend on how a survivor became incapacitated.

The bill sponsor emphasized that designating May 9th as Opioid Awareness Day is a solemn recognition of a crisis touching every corner of the state. She framed awareness as a commitment to education, prevention, and care that rejects shame and chooses compassion, stating that awareness is the first step toward saving lives.

Supported the budget's substance use disorder provisions, particularly the transparency legislation for opioid settlement dollars and rejection of drug scheduling which she argued creates new drugs.

Peer advocates with lived experience of incarceration bring hope and trust to those behind bars. Peer support strengthens recovery, reduces recidivism, and prepares people for reentry. The bill corrects an injustice by allowing certified peer advocates to work in correctional facilities despite prior incarceration, recognizing that no one is defined by the worst chapter of their life.

The bill removes the requirement for child sexual assault survivors under 17 to recall exact dates of abuse, preventing retraumatization and allowing prosecutors to pursue credible cases that would otherwise be abandoned due to the child's inability to remember specific details.

College students living in a county for their education are technically residents and have community connections through their time and economic participation there. The bill addresses a critical shortage of poll workers and inspectors while requiring strict adherence to existing Election Law prohibitions on voter interference.

The bill is essential because overdose patients admitted to emergency rooms are often not directed to recovery care; this legislation would ensure they are connected to appropriate treatment services.

Overdose deaths are 100 percent preventable through evidence-based approaches like Narcan distribution and drug testing. The bill represents a commitment to treating addiction as a health crisis, supporting recovery services, and building a system that keeps people alive.

Introduced the bill to combat pay-for-delay agreements that keep generic drugs off the market and inflate costs. Argued that transparency is necessary to hold drug companies accountable and ensure New Yorkers can afford life-saving medications.

The bill addresses dangerous chemicals in menstrual products, including PFAS, mercury, formaldehyde, and lead. Fernandez emphasized that consumers use thousands of these products over their lifetimes and deserve safe options to protect reproductive and general health.

The bill addresses the presence of harmful chemicals in menstrual products by prohibiting substances like PFAS, mercury, formaldehyde, and lead. Given that individuals use over 16,000 menstrual products in their lifetime, restricting these substances ensures safe and reliable products.

The bill ensures access to certified recovery peer advocates for incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders by prohibiting facilities from excluding advocates based on prior incarceration. Studies show peer advocacy improves outcomes and reduces recidivism, yet current county jail policies perpetuate exclusion of those with lived experience of incarceration.

Personal experience with mandatory voter registration in high school was transformative, giving her agency and understanding of her power to influence her country and community.

The bill aligns New York State regulations with federal standards by permitting three days of buprenorphine and methadone dispensing instead of the current 24-hour restriction. This change reduces barriers to medication-assisted treatment for individuals with substance use disorders and addresses access disparities in urban and rural areas.

The bill closes a critical gap in the Penal Law by expanding the definition of mental health care provider to include LMHCs and licensed marriage and family therapists, protecting vulnerable patients from exploitation. She cited the case of Gittel, whose LMHC sexually abused her but could not be prosecuted under current law, and credited Assemblyman Sam Berger with the bill.

Explained the bill honors the legacy of Staff Sergeant Alex R. Jimenez and provides vital support to immigrant families of New York's veterans and servicemembers. Emphasized the bill establishes a structured program ensuring no family is left behind and urged colleagues to support it.

The bill addresses the overdose epidemic by directing at least 10 percent of Opioid Stewardship Fund toward recovery services, removing the sunset provision for permanent funding, and mandating annual transparency reports. Recovery services are evidence-based lifelines that have been underfunded despite their proven effectiveness.

Emphasized that predatory third-party platforms operate without restaurant authorization, charging consumers excessive fees ($500+ per reservation) while leaving restaurants with empty seats. Highlighted double-booking problems and called for protecting the restaurant industry and consumers from these exploitative practices.

The bill reduces financial barriers for individuals seeking addiction treatment and helps bridge gaps between mental health and substance use disorder services, allowing patients to continue treatment without financial burden.

The bill provides critical harm reduction and data collection on the evolving drug supply. San Francisco data shows 30.1% of users with positive fentanyl tests reduced their use and 26.5% disposed of substances. Criminalization and controlled substance approaches have failed; the bill empowers individuals with information to make safer decisions.

The bill removes the voluntary intoxication exclusion from defenses in sexual assault and rape cases, ensuring that intoxicated survivors are not blamed for their victimization and can pursue justice against their attackers.

The bill converts existing guidelines into enforceable rules to monitor ground-level pollution affecting communities, particularly in environmental justice areas. She argued that more data collection is beneficial and that DEC should be held accountable for implementation, with the delayed effective date allowing for proper budgeting.

Praised behavioral health parity initiatives, COLA increases, maternal health investments, and the precedent set by saving SUNY Downstate, while noting that scheduling substances alone does not address the overdose crisis.

The bill sponsor explained that August 31st was chosen because it marks the end of winter and start of spring in Australia, symbolizing the start of recovery and new life. She emphasized that overdose deaths are preventable and called for the designation to serve as a call to action for increased state resources, naloxone training, overdose prevention centers, and substance use disorder prevention programs.

The bill is necessary to address problem gambling as New York expands its gaming market. Recent studies show 5 percent of adults and 10 percent of students in grades 7-12 exhibit problem gambling behaviors, requiring a comprehensive approach similar to substance use disorder services.

Explained the bill updates Matthew's Law to include testing kits for xylazine and other dangerous additives now prevalent in the drug supply. Emphasized harm-reduction meets people where they are and prevents tragedies before they happen.

The bill promotes transparency by requiring notification to the Attorney General when pharmaceutical companies pay to delay generic drug market entry, helping catch unethical practices that keep drug prices high and prevent consumers from obtaining needed medications.

The bill takes a preventative measure to ensure women's reproductive health by banning PFAS chemicals from menstrual care products, protecting women from long-lasting reproductive harm caused by unnecessary chemicals.

The bill prevents use of certain chemicals in menstrual products, which are used on and in the body. She emphasized the responsibility to ensure these products are safe for human use and expressed support for normalizing the conversation around menstrual products.

Noted the bill will help homeless LGBTQ youth, who experience homelessness at higher rates, and will save lives while addressing the housing crisis.

As chair of the Committee on Alcohol and Substance Use Disorder, Fernandez emphasized that gambling addiction is real and growing. She stated the council is essential as New York expands casinos and mobile betting, and would create a board of professionals to identify and reach those showing signs of over-gambling and addiction.

The bill protects the right to practice and express religion by creating legal consequences for attacks motivated by religious garb or practice, addressing a critical need given current attacks on neighbors based on religion.

The bill is compassionate legislation that empowers individuals affected by pregnancy and infant loss with information and resources. It creates an education and outreach program to inform those who have suffered pregnancy loss about physical changes and available support services, ensuring they receive necessary help during difficult times.

Described the bill as historic and the first of its kind, establishing a program to help discharged veterans and family members achieve naturalization. Emphasized that many undocumented veterans face deportation after serving and that the state should support those who have given their lives to the country.

As chair of the Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders Committee, Fernandez emphasized that overdose deaths occur every 90 minutes in New York and are preventable. She called for the day to honor those lost, support affected families and communities, and demonstrate state leadership in fighting the overdose crisis.

Argued that mobile-friendly state websites are essential given the demographic shift toward smartphone usage and that the current desktop-only format disadvantages residents relying on mobile devices, particularly low-income populations without access to computers.

The bill gives victims and prosecutors stronger cases by providing access to past sealed convictions, restraining orders, and orders of protection, allowing them to establish patterns of harm and achieve justice for domestic violence victims.

Sponsor argued that suicide among Latina teens has reached epidemic levels in New York City, with nearly one-third struggling with depression. She emphasized the unique pressures young Latinas face—family responsibilities, cultural obligations, and mental health stigma—and stated the task force would provide representation, conduct research, and benefit all young women of color facing similar struggles.

Sponsor explained the bill requires hospitals to provide substance use disorder education and treatment connection services, including medication-assisted treatment within 72 hours and immediate withdrawal symptom management. Cited CDC data on record overdose deaths and argued the legislation prevents overdose deaths and ensures treatment access.

Praised dual licensing for co-occurring disorders, Daniel's Law task force, and noted the budget represents significant progress despite wishes for higher COLA and more suicide prevention resources.

Described the crisis as visible in her Bronx district where missing persons bulletins cover storefronts. Emphasized that missing Black and brown women receive far less media attention than missing white women and called for solutions to stop human trafficking and empower vulnerable communities.

The bill protects harassment and discrimination victims from being deterred by punitive NDA clauses. It prevents NDAs from including liquidated damages so victims are not forced to choose between staying silent or facing financial ruin when seeking justice.

The bill enforces DEC guidance on ground-level air contaminants in communities adjacent to major emitters, addressing environmental racial injustice. It differs from existing regulations by codifying and enforcing guidance that currently exists only as non-binding reference material.