Enacts the "New York anti-mandate act"; provides that a business entity doing business in the state of New York shall not refuse to provide any service, product, admission to a venue, or transportation to a person because that person has or has not received or used a medical intervention; provides that a ticket issuer shall not penalize, discriminate against, or deny access to an entertainment event to a ticket holder because the ticket holder has or has not received or used a medical intervention; provides a school operating in the state shall not mandate a medical intervention for any person to attend school, enter campus or school buildings, or be employed by the school; provides that unless required by federal law, no state, county, or local government entity or official in New York shall require any person to receive or use a medical intervention; defines terms; makes conforming changes.
Impact
The passage of S08723 would result in significant changes to public health legislation and education laws in New York State. Notably, it amends various sections of the public health and education law to align with its provisions against mandates. Schools would be unable to enforce vaccination or medical requirements for enrollment or employment, effectively nullifying prior laws that required immunizations for school attendance. This may foster a more permissive environment regarding health interventions, which could pose public health challenges, especially in maintaining herd immunity in educational settings for contagious diseases.
Summary
S08723, known as the New York Anti-Mandate Act, seeks to prohibit any business entity functioning within the state from denying service to individuals based on their medical intervention status, whether they have received or used such interventions or not. This expansive legislation goes beyond the realm of private entities, extending its implications to include educational institutions and government services, thereby ensuring individuals cannot be penalized or discriminated against in their access to goods and services due to their medical choices. It also specifies that no school in New York may mandate a medical intervention for attendance or employment, with exceptions only allowed under federal law.
Contention
As with any legislation that intersects public health and personal rights, S08723 finds itself at the center of a contentious debate. Proponents argue that it protects individual rights and medical freedoms, countering perceived overreach from government mandates. Conversely, opponents express concern over potential public health risks, arguing that the lack of mandates for vaccinations in educational and public settings could lead to increased outbreaks of preventable diseases. The division in opinion reflects broader national debates on the balance between personal freedoms and community health responsibilities.
Enacts the "mandatory arbitration & business licensing act"; provides that no state agency or local government shall issue or renew a covered license to any person that refuses to certify that such person will not, as the owner or operator of a business or provider of services in the state or a local government operating pursuant to such license; makes related provisions.
Enacts the "mandatory arbitration & business licensing act"; provides that no state agency or local government shall issue or renew a covered license to any person that refuses to certify that such person will not, as the owner or operator of a business or provider of services in the state or a local government operating pursuant to such license; makes related provisions.
Provides that no entity shall receive fees for services rendered in a veterans' benefits matter until certain notice has been provided to the claimant; provides for the type of notice that shall be provided to claimants; defines terms; makes technical corrections.
Provides that state mandates shall not be implemented in school districts after such district has passed a budget; provides that any such mandates shall be implemented in the following fiscal year.
Enacts the medical civil rights act; provides that persons in the custody or control of a law enforcement officer, police officer, peace officer, correctional officer, or other law enforcement representative or entity who are experiencing an emergency medical condition or is medically unstable have the right to be provided with emergency medical services and that such officers, representatives, and entities have a duty to provide such services; provides an exception to such duty to provide emergency medical services.
Provides that if the person or business providing the notification was the source of the breach, an offer to provide appropriate identity theft prevention and mitigation services, shall be provided at no cost to the affected person for not less than 12 months, along with all information necessary to take advantage of the offer to any person whose information was or may have been breached if the breach exposed or may have exposed personal information.
Provides that no affected state entity or public retirement system shall take any boycott-based adverse action or compile, maintain or publish any list of persons or entities for purposes of such action unless expressly authorized by the legislature.