Page 15 - Bulletin Vol 28 No 2 - May - Aug. 2023 FINAL

In Our Society | Legislative Update

On Saturday, June 10, the New York Legislature wrapped up its legislative session. However, the
announcement of adjournment was almost immediately followed with an announcement that the
th
Assembly would return June 20 for a special session. Below is an overview of some of the actions that
were taken during the 2023 Legislative Session that affect the dental profession.

Following Advocacy Day on April 18, NYSDA was successful getting the following four bills introduced. Be-
cause this year was the first year of a two-year session, our Association will continue to advance these bills
when the Legislature reconvenes in January.

Non-Covered Dental Services (S.7577/A.7862) This bill is a newly introduced version of the bill that
passed both houses but was vetoed by Gov. Cuomo in 2017. This bill, sponsored by Senator Breslin &
Assemblyman Weprin, would address non-covered dental services by prohibiting insurers and managed
care entities from setting fees or requiring approval fees for services not covered under a person's dental
plan. And it would prohibit medical expense indemnity corporations, dental expense indemnity
corporations and health service corporations from setting fees or requiring approval fees for services not
covered under a person's dental plan.

Authorization for Dentists to Administer Certain Vaccinations (S.7356/A.7855) This bill, sponsored by
Senator Stavisky & Assemblyman Weprin, would permit dentists to administer influenza and COVID
vaccinations and vaccinations related to a public health emergency.

Authorization for Dentists to Administer HPV Vaccine (S.7355/A.7857) This bill, sponsored by Senator
Stavisky & Assemblyman Weprin, would permit dentists to administer vaccinations against human
papillomavirus.

Establishing a Medical Loss Ratio for Dental Insurance (S.7013/A.7852) This bill, sponsored by Senator
Breslin & Assemblyman Weprin, would establish an MLR of 82% for dental insurance plans, the same as
for small group commercial health insurance plans.

In addition to the above bills, there were nearly 15, 000 other bills introduced during the 2023 Session
(14,983 to date to be exact). Of those, a small portion passed both houses and now will be delivered to
the governor for approval or disapproval. A selection of some of those bills that will impact either dental
professionals, or their patients, are below:

Noncompete Agreement Prohibition (S.3100-A/ A.1278-B) Would void current noncompete agreements
and prohibit employers from requiring a noncompete agreement from any individual covered under the
bill. Would also authorize covered individuals to bring a civil action against an employer in violation of the
proposed law.

Runaway Youth Consent for Medical and Dental Services (S.832/A.4014) Allows homeless youth and
youth receiving services at an approved runaway and homeless youth crisis services program or a
transitional independent living support program to consent to treatment without a parent.

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Nassau County Dental Society ⬧ (516) 227-1112 | 15