Health Highlights from the 2001-2004 Legislative Sessions 

2004: (Note: These 2004 items have not yet been chaptered...still pending)

Establishing the Assisted Living Reform Act defining assisted living, creating a uniform licensing procedure, and providing a resident’s bill of rights with strong consumer protections.

Enacting reform measures to the proceedings and administrative review processes of the Office of Professional Medical Conduct.

Expanding the options available to seniors interested in residence in a continuing care retirement community to allow fee-for-service payment.

Codification of the NYS Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.

2003:

Creating distinctive “Life, Pass It On” license plates to promote the importance of organ and tissue donation.

 Authorizing the establishment of a hospice residence demonstration program, and

 Allowing corporate entities, such as residential facilities, to serve as guardians for individuals with mental retardation in order to make life-sustaining health care decisions,

2002:

Establishing the Gift of Life Medal of Honor award to annually recognize organ, tissue and bone marrow donors,

 Enacting the Health Care Decisions Act for persons with mental retardation, and

 Requiring government issued proof of age to purchase tobacco products.

2001:

Requesting the Commissioner of Health to establish a training program on food service safety and sanitation for employees in the food service industry,

 Expanding the SPARCS data collection to include the reporting of emergency department information, and

 Requiring tobacco products offered for sale to be accessible to only retail personnel in order to prevent access to underage individuals.