ALBANY, N.Y. — Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-119, has announced a host of legislative achievements which will soon take effect. The laws will benefit veterans, families of first responders and the health of all New Yorkers.
“These legislative accomplishments work to ensure healthcare affordability while restoring patient
dignity, and reduce the financial burdens faced by our veterans and the families of our fallen first
responders,” she said.
These acts take full effect between January 1 and January 20.
Establishing Cardiac Emergency Response Plans for All Schools will strengthen school safety plans and better protect students, staff, and visitors in the event of sudden cardiac emergencies. The new law requires all schools to incorporate a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan into their existing safety protocols.
This plan ensures schools are prepared to respond rapidly and effectively to incidents involving sudden cardiac arrest at any school facility or school-sponsored event, including athletic programs.
It also encourages coordination with local emergency medical services, training for relevant staff, and the placement of automated external defibrillators in accessible locations to maximize lifesaving outcomes.
“When a child, teacher, or community member suffers a cardiac arrest on school grounds, time is truly the difference between life and death. With this law, schools will now have comprehensive,
venue-specific plans to respond swiftly and effectively,” Buttenschon said.
Ensuring No-Cost Coverage of Breast Cancer Screening Services will require commercial health insurance coverage of screening and diagnostic imaging. This includes diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds, or magnetic resonance imaging, recommended by nationally-recognized clinical practice guidelines for the detection of breast cancer.
Women in the United States have a higher breast cancer mortality rate than any other cancer. This unanimous bi-partisan legislation gives comprehensive-type insurance coverage at no-cost to patients for all breast cancer screenings and routine follow-ups and ensures access to care for all New Yorkers.
“Today, one’s ability to pay will no longer stand in the way of their access to comprehensive and
preventative care for breast cancer. This act will undoubtedly save lives,” Buttenschon said.
Preventing Cancer-Related Hair Loss by Requiring Commercial Health Insurance Coverage of Scalp Cooling Devices will require commercial health insurance coverage of scalp cooling systems used in connection with cancer chemotherapy treatment.
Hair loss can be one of the most noticeable and devastating effects of cancer treatment. For many women, hair loss during cancer treatment can be debilitating and interfere with both their treatment and recovery.
This act seeks to restore dignity and strength to patients through insurance coverage of scalp cooling systems which reduce and prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss.
“For many cancer patients, hair loss is not just a side effect, it’s a daily, visible reminder of their illness and a signal to the world that they’re sick,” Buttenschon said.
“This legislation recognizes that preserving one’s appearance during chemotherapy is about far more than vanity; it’s about maintaining dignity, self-esteem, and a sense of control during an experience that often feels overwhelming,” she continued. “New York is leading the nation in recognizing that cancer patients deserve access to every tool that can help them feel like themselves as they fight for their lives.”
Capping EpiPens Out-of-Pocket Health Insurance Costs at $100 per year will cap out-of-pocket insurance coverage expenses related to epinephrine auto-injector devices at $100 per year.
The cost of Epipens ranges from $350 to over $700. Many New Yorkers have been forced to decide whether to purchase this life-saving device they hope never to use, or to fulfill other critical needs such as rent, food and other expenses. This act caps out-of-pocket expenses at $100 per year.
“No person should have to choose between their physical and financial well-being because of the cost of care,” Buttenschon said.
Providing Property Tax Exemptions to Active Duty Servicemembers Serving Combat Roles will provide a property tax exemption for active service members whose military duty station is within the boundaries of New York State and who have served in a combat zone anytime during the taxable year.
Active-duty members of the United States armed forces do not currently qualify for the property tax
exemptions afforded to veterans. This bill recognizes that those who volunteer to serve our country should be afforded benefits in recognition of their service.
“This bill provides another avenue of support and relief to those brave men and women willing to
sacrifice all in our protection,” Buttenschon said.
Designating New York as a Purple Heart State will promote New York State as a purple heart state, enshrining into law our gratitude for the sacrifices made by wounded veterans.
In honor of tremendous courage, sacrifice and service of our state’s military heroes, this law formally enshrines New York’s profound gratitude to the military men and women who have been wounded or killed in service to the United States Armed Forces.
“This recognition speaks to the heart of who we are as New Yorkers and as a nation,” Buttenschon said. “We believe in service, in community, and in standing up for those who stood up for us. It is my hope that by designating New York as a Purple Heart State, we are sending a clear message: your sacrifices will never be forgotten, and your service will forever be honored.”
Establishing Property Tax Exemptions for Surviving Spouses of Fallen Law Enforcement Officers will establish a real property tax exemption for widows and widowers of police officers killed in the line of duty.
The legislation extends equity and compassion to these families, who were previously ineligible to receive property tax exemption benefits. Under the new law, individual localities will now be permitted to offer through local laws, ordinances and real property tax exemptions of up to fifty percent to surviving spouses.
“This bill is about fairness and compassion,” Buttenschon said. “ The measure ensures we stand by their families with more than just words during their darkest hours.”
Buttenschon represents New York’s 119th Assembly District, encompassing the cities of Utica and Rome and surrounding towns in Oneida County.
She can be reached at Room 401, State Office Building, 207 Genesee St., Utica, NY 13501 (315) 732-1055, phone (315) 732-1413 fax.
Her Albany office is Room 528, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248 (518) 455-5454 phone, (518) 455-5928 fax. Her email is buttenschonm@nyassembly.gov.
