Bill > S05517

This bill provides a comprehensive framework for expanding access to emergency contraception (EC) in New York State, addressing both medical practice and insurance coverage. The legislation defines emergency contraception as prescription or non-prescription drugs used to prevent pregnancy after intercourse, and it allows licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, and midwives to prescribe a non-patient specific regimen of EC to registered professional nurses and licensed pharmacists to administer or dispense. The bill aims to simplify EC access, particularly for young women, noting that nearly 30% of US teenage girls become pregnant before age 20 and are more likely to experience contraceptive failure. Key provisions include allowing healthcare professionals to dispense EC according to professional standards, requiring the provision of written educational materials to patients about the medication, and mandating that health insurance policies cover EC when prescribed or provided lawfully. The bill emphasizes that EC is about pregnancy prevention, not abortion, and seeks to ensure immediate and barrier-free access to this form of contraception while respecting existing medical professional scopes of practice. The legislation will take effect 180 days after becoming law, with specific provisions for insurance policy implementation.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5517