Briefs

New state laws require aim to help families, particularly on dyslexia screening coverage

December 11, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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ALBANY — A PACKAGE OF NEW LAWS that Gov. Kathy Hochul signed on Wednesday, Dec. 11 will expand the availability of resources for new parents and young children and to make sure that new parents are fully informed about the products they are selecting for their families, and will make it easier for working parents to have access to child care programs, among other resources. Legislation S.2279C/A.43C requires a plain and conspicuous printed list of all ingredients listed in order of predominance on diapers sold in the state, and imposes a civil penalty of one percent of the manufacturer’s total annual in-state sales not to exceed $1,000 per package or box on the manufacturer. Legislation S.5481A/A.2898A, which Brooklyn Assemblymember Robert Carroll (D-44/Kensington) and State Senate’s sponsor, Brad Hoylman-Sigal sponsored in their respective chambers, requires commercial health insurance policies to cover neuropsychological exams for dyslexia upon the referral of a physician. Legislation S.4667A/A.4099A authorizes local social services districts to utilize child care block grant funds for the presumptive eligibility period. A bill that State Senator Roxanne Persaud (D-19) sponsored provides patients admitted to a maternal health care facility for delivery or post-delivery care to designate and have full access to a doula (a non-medical professional who offers support during labor) throughout the course of care.

Although the New York Health Plan Association opposed the bill on dyslexia coverage, Carroll addressed the testimony parents gave on the cost of these exams. “Ultimately, we need to ensure children with dyslexia get the interventions and supports they need and access to affordable diagnosis is a critical first step.”

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