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Bill

A 11184

Reforms the opioid settlement board to provide services and supports to grieving families

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Phil Steck and 1 co-sponsor

The bill broadens the opioid settlement fund to fund grieving families and caregivers, strengthening governance, transparency, equity, and harm-reduction focused funding.

REFERRED TO ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE
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Bill Summary · A 11184

Overview

House: New York Assembly Bill 11184 (2025-2026 session), introduced May 1, 2026 by Assemblymember Steck with co-sponsors Woerner and Steck. The bill overhauls the opioid settlement fund and the related governance to explicitly provide services for grieving families affected by the overdose epidemic, while strengthening transparency, governance, and funding guidelines for opioid settlement expenditures.

Main purpose and intent

  • Reforms the New York opioid settlement fund and board to broaden funding priorities beyond prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery.
  • Adds a dedicated focus on services and supports for grieving families and those caring for loved ones with substance use disorders, including trauma and long-term emotional/psychological support.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Expanded allowable uses (Mental Hygiene Law §25.18(a))

    • Adds new subparagraph (ix) authorizing funds to provide services and supports for grieving families, caregivers, and children affected by substance use disorders, including grief counseling, trauma support, and long-term supports.

  2. Funding and administration (Mental Hygiene Law §25.18(b))

    • Requires that appropriated funds be available to retain legal and administrative staff for the board.
    • Funding distributed regionally in line with statewide opioid settlement agreements to ensure geographic balance.

  3. Accountability and reporting (Mental Hygiene Law §25.18(b) paragraph 3)

    • Subdivisions require each New York subdivision to provide detailed fund usage reports and program evaluations.
    • Reports to be reviewed and approved by the Attorney General and included in a consolidated annual dashboard.

  4. Board governance and diversity (Mental Hygiene Law §25.18(c) paragraph 5)

    • Reiterates a balanced board reflecting geographic, racial/ethnic, and lived-experience diversity.
    • At least four board members must have lived experience with substance use disorder or related impacts.

  5. Conflict of interest safeguards (Mental Hygiene Law §25.18(c) paragraph 7)

    • Prohibits board members from directing funds to entities in which they or family have an interest.
    • Requires disclosure of potential conflicts prior to votes and mandatory recusal.

  6. Annual reporting timeline (Mental Hygiene Law §25.18(c) paragraph 10)

    • Establishes a yearly November 1 reporting deadline (beginning one year after initial deposit of funds).
    • Reports to include baseline funding, fund utilization, recipient details, criteria for awards, program effectiveness using evidence-based metrics, and any information from subdivisions.
    • Potential for independent monitoring if reports are not provided.

  7. State Finance Law updates (State Finance Law §§99-nn)

    • Clarifies that funds must supplement, not replace, other funding; allows funding to support board staff.
    • Adds requirements for geographic distribution and cross-agency funding eligibility (DOH, OMH, HCR, etc.) for eligible expenditures.
    • Emphasizes culturally competent, trauma-informed, and evidence-based funding decisions.
    • Requires a share of funding directed to organizations led by people with lived experience and to communities hardest hit.

  8. Lived experience and harm reduction emphasis

    • A minimum threshold (at least 50% of funds) directed to harm reduction, with distribution to DOH, AIDS Institute, and Office of Drug User Health.
    • Explicit definition of “lived experience” as someone who has lost a close relative to substance use disorder.

Who is affected

  • The opioid settlement fund and its governance structure, including the statewide opioid settlement board and subdivisions, will see expanded mandate and oversight.
  • Organizations receiving funding (state agencies, health, housing, and related providers) will align with new reporting, equity, and harm reduction requirements.
  • Communities most impacted by overdose and individuals with lived experience or bereaved families will gain access to grief, trauma, and long-term supports.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: One year after enactment.
  • Annual reporting cycle begins the year after the initial fund deposit, with a consolidated dashboard released publicly.
  • Enhanced monitoring and potential appointment of an independent monitor if reporting requirements are not met.

Overall, the bill broadens the scope of the opioid settlement fund to explicitly support grieving families and caregivers, strengthens governance and transparency, and prioritizes harm reduction, equity, and lived experience in funding decisions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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