Status of NYSNA priority legislation at the beginning of the 2008 legislative session. Please note: all attachments are in .pdf format (Adobe Acrobat Reader required).
A1898-B/S6342 prohibits healthcare employers from requiring registered professional nurses or licensed practical nurses to remain on duty beyond their usually scheduled shift. Memorandum of Support
- Assembly Ways and Means Committee
- Senate Labor Committee
A6119/S1551 would establish minimum nurse to patient ratios in healthcare facilities. This bill is a result of collaboration among healthcare and labor unions. Memorandum of Support
- Assembly Codes Committee
- Senate Health Committee
A2480/S294 would require registered professional nurses (RNs) to attain bachelor’s degrees in nursing (BSN) within ten years of their initial licensure, while “grandfathering” nurses already in practice and nursing students already enrolled. Memorandum of Support
- Assembly Higher Education Committee
- Senate Higher Education Committee
A6186/S3441 would add attacks on Registered Nurses (RNs) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to the same class of assault as attacks on police officers, firefighters, and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Memorandum of Support
- Assembly Codes Committee
- PASSED Senate
A3873/S1865 includes the occupation of nursing in a list of defined physically taxing job titles. This provides city nurses the same benefits as other city employees. Nurses run a greater risk for physical injury than many workers already listed. Note: The New York City Council failed to enact a Home Rule Message to advance this legislation. Memorandum of Support
- Assembly Ways and Means Committee
- Senate Civil Service and Pensions Committee
NYSNA opposes any cuts to the Medicaid program in the budget. Reduction in funding for this public health program will endanger access to care and patient safety.
The budget must address New York’s inadequate supply of registered nurses. NYSNA suggests enhancing nursing education to help solve the growing nursing shortage and ultimately expand access to care.
Nursing Scholarship Program
An increased supply of newly licensed registered nurses is critical to meet current shortages and future demands in New York State. NYSNA is asking that $7.7 million be allocated for nursing scholarships in the budget to increase entry into the profession.
Aid for Public Nursing Education Programs
NYSNA requests $8 million be included in the budget for public nursing education programs to increase New York’s capacity to educate an adequate supply of nursing students. We recommend that these funds be designated exclusively for the expansion of existing programs or creation of new nursing education programs within the SUNY and CUNY systems.
Comprehensive online materials on legislative activities are available at NYSNA's Legislative Action Center.
Contact Governmental Affairs at 518.782.9400, ext. 283 or by e-mail.