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S 9237

Relates to the definition of family for purposes of services provided by voluntary foster care agency health facilities

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 3 co-sponsors

Expands who counts as family for foster care health services and requires licensed, standardized limited health services for authorized agencies serving foster and related families

SUBSTITUTED BY A2726A
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Bill Summary · S 9237

Bill Summary: S.9237 (2025-2026) – New York

Purpose and intent

  • The bill amends the Public Health Law to expand the definition of “family” for purposes of services provided by voluntary foster care agency health facilities.
  • Specifically, it includes both the birth family and the foster family of children in foster care, as well as other families receiving child welfare services from the authorized agency or local social services departments, in determining who is considered family for these health services.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 2999-gg, subdivision 1 (as amended) requires licensed health-related services for authorized agencies approved by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to care for or board out children, either directly or via contract.
  • Agencies must obtain a license to provide limited health-related services (nursing, behavioral health services, etc.) as defined by the Department and OCFS, issued in conjunction with OCFS.
  • Licensing timeline: Agencies operating as of January 1, 2019 must obtain the license by January 1, 2019.
  • Licensure standards (minimum requirements):
    • Mandated health services (e.g., nursing, behavioral health).
    • General physical environment requirements.
    • Minimum health and safety procedures.
    • Record management requirements.
    • Quality management activities.
    • Managed care liaison, fiscal, and billing activities.
    • Definition of eligible service recipients includes: children and youth in foster care and their families (explicitly including both birth and foster families), other families receiving child welfare services from the agency or local DSS, and students with disabilities placed by a Committee on Special Education (CSE) under Education Law Article 89.
  • Licensure criteria must consider program size and type and be reasonably related to the provision of medical services.
  • A license under this section is not required if the authorized agency already holds a license under other NYS licenses (Article 28 of Public Health Law or Article 31 of Mental Hygiene Law) to provide the required limited health-related services.
  • For purposes of this section, an “authorized agency” is defined consistent with social services law.

Who is affected

  • Authorized foster care agencies approved by OCFS that provide or contract for limited health-related services to foster children and their families.
  • Birth families, foster families, and other families receiving child welfare services from these agencies/DSOs who may access health-related services.
  • Students with disabilities placed by CSE (as per Education Law) may also fall under the eligible recipient pool for licensed services where applicable.
  • Agencies currently operating under other licenses (Public Health Law Article 28 or Mental Hygiene Law Article 31) may be exempt from this additional license.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: Six months after enactment.
  • The bill references a licensing schedule developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with OCFS, indicating ongoing implementation rules and standards.
  • Revisions to definitions and licensure standards would be implemented through the Public Health Law and associated regulations.

Potential impact

  • Expands who is considered “family” for services provided by voluntary foster care agency health facilities, potentially broadening access to health services for more individuals tied to a foster care or child welfare arrangement.
  • Establishes or reiterates a licensure framework for agencies delivering limited health-related services, aiming to standardize care quality, safety, and administrative practices.
  • Could affect funding, oversight, and administrative processes for authorized agencies, especially those newly subject to this licensure or those expanding who can receive services.

Note: The bill text indicates it was substituted and advanced through committee stages with sponsor support from Rivera, Parker, Palumbo, and Addabbo. The measure is aligned with the broader regulatory framework governing child welfare and health services in New York.

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

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