An act to amend the education law, the insurance law and the public health law, in relation to providing for dispensing emergency contraception under certain conditions.

Synopsis:
The proposed legislation amends the education law, insurance law and public health law.  Current statute requires identification and exerts age restrictions on individuals receiving emergency contraception from a pharmacist.  This proposed legislation would remove such barriers. The proposal would expand the list of medical professionals who can prescribe emergency contraception, as well as increase the public health education efforts regarding emergency contraception.

Status:
This bill passed the Assembly on 5/29/07 and was delivered to the Senate Rules Committee.  This bill died in the Senate and was returned to the Assembly on 1/9/08.  The bill was amended and recommitted to the Senate Higher Education Committee on 1/23/08.

Summary of Provisions:

• Education Law
• Defines “emergency contraception” as “…one or more prescription or non prescription drugs, used separately or in combination in a dosage and manner for preventing pregnancy when used after intercourse, found safe and effective for that use by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and dispensed or administered for that purpose.”
• Defines “prescriber” as  “a licensed physician, certified nurse practitioner, or licensed midwife.”
• Allows a “prescriber to prescribe and order a non-patient specific regimen to a registered professional nurse and/or a licensed pharmacist for emergency contraceptive.”
• Allows a licensed pharmacist to dispense emergency contraception without a patient specific regimen prescribed by a previously defined prescriber.

• Insurance Law
• Any insurance policy that covers emergency contraception will also cover emergency contraception prescribed and/or ordered by a non-patient specific regimen.

• Public Health Law
• The proposed legislation stipulates that the Department of Health will conduct education and outreach programs relating to any matter the commissioner deems necessary including “the safety, efficacy, appropriate use and availability” of emergency contraception.

NASW-NYS Position:
NASW-NYS supports this bill and has issued a Memorandum in Support.