Albany, NY – Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D–Westchester) announced that the New York State Legislature has passed two of her bills (A.1942/S.3822 and A.9609/S.9592) which update New York’s law to allow nurse practitioners to make routine health determinations and certifications.

“Approximately 25% of New Yorkers receive their primary care from a nurse practitioner, and it’s time the law caught up with their training and expertise,” said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin.

A.1942/S.3822 removes inconsistencies in the law that prohibited nurse practitioners from signing certain forms, despite the related areas of medical care being within their scope of practice. For example, a nurse practitioner is permitted to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, and prescribe medications, but cannot excuse a mother from jury duty because she is breastfeeding or permit an injured person to access temporary disability parking permits. In these instances, and others, a nurse practitioner is lawfully authorized to perform the services needed for documentation, but New York’s laws prohibit them from signing the related forms. This legislation would correct these types of inconsistencies in the law. “These changes not only make common sense,” added Paulin, “but they also help expand health care access for New Yorkers.”

Similarly, A.9609/S.9592 expands the certifications nurse practitioners can sign for patients seeking state benefits or disability accommodations. Under current law, nurse practitioners are not authorized to provide a statement of disability for a patient’s family leave, nor can they conduct the physical exam an employee claiming disability benefits may need to undergo. Additionally, they are unable to certify a physical disability for a hunting accommodation. This legislation corrects these inconsistencies, making it easier for patients to access needed benefits and services. 

“On behalf of the tens of thousands of nurse practitioners serving patients across this great state, I express our sincere gratitude to Assemblywoman Paulin and Senator Rivera, as well as Senator Hinchey, for their leadership and commitment to championing these commonsense bills,” said Nurse Practitioner Association New York State President Henry Moscicki, DNP, FNP-C. “Nurse practitioners are highly trained, dedicated clinicians who are trusted primary care providers for millions of New Yorkers. Enacting this legislation will eliminate unnecessary administrative barriers that have made it harder for patients to access timely, efficient, quality health care from the providers they already rely on. This is a meaningful win for New York patients, and we look forward to continuing to work with the State to ensure that New Yorkers have access to the high-quality care they deserve.”

“The hospital community thanks Assembly Member Paulin for her determination and leadership in passing A.1942 and A.9609. These bills modernize and expand state law governing nurse practitioners’ scope of practice, clarifying their authority to conduct certain physical examinations, certify and approve student forms and proof-of-disability documentation, and provide notes for jury duty absences related to breastfeeding. These bills will expand access to essential care and improve the quality of life for New Yorkers. GNYHA strongly urges Governor Kathy Hochul to sign these important bills into law,” said Kenneth E. Raske, President of the Greater New York Hospital Association.

“Many New Yorkers continue to face barriers to health care which stem from a shortage of health care professionals,” said Paulin. “By updating these outdated rules, this legislation will allow more New Yorkers to access quality, timely care.”

A.1942/S.3822 and A.9609/S.9592 were sponsored in the State Senate by Senator Gustavo Rivera.