Establishes a narcolepsy and sleep disorder education and awareness program to reduce stigma and promote screening, diagnosis, and management through evidence-based treatment and medication for narcolepsy and other sleep disorders.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A10957A
SPONSOR: Romero TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing a
narcolepsy and sleep disorder education and awareness program
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation will create a new Education Awareness program related
to the impact of narcolepsy and sleep disorders on physical, mental, and
public health and the importance of screening and diagnosis of narcolep-
sy and sleep disorders.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill amends section 207 of the Public Health Law to
expand the scope of the health care and wellness education and outreach
program under the Department of Health to include the impact of narco-
lepsy, sleep disorders and sleep health on physical, mental, and public
health, reducing stigma, the importance of screening and diagnosis, and
the public safety implications of untreated Narcolepsy and other sleep
disorders, including risks associated with driving and occupational
hazards. DOH, in consultation with the Office of Mental Health, Depart-
ment of Transportation and relevant provider groups shall create educa-
tion materials for healthcare providers, educators and the general
public on reducing stigma and promoting screening, diagnosis, and
management through evidence-based treatment and medication for Narcolep-
sy and other sleep disorders
Section 2 states the effective date of 90 days after the bill shall
become a law.
JUSTIFICATION:
Steep disorders are a public health challenge in New York State. Narco-
lepsy and other longterm steep disorders have a major impact on health
and safety yet these conditions are routinely underrecognized. A
patient often goes 10-15 years before receiving an accurate diagnosis or
appropriate treatment.
Recent data from U.S. Department of Health shows New York as one of the
top 10 states in the country with the poorest sleep trends. Sleep depri-
vation leads to impaired cognitive function, a higher risk of obesity,
heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, depression, and anxiety. Untreated
sleep disorders increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents, workplace
inju- ries and errors in healthcare. Timely diagnosis requires recogni-
tion of hallmark symptoms by both the public and healthcare providers.
Primary care providers receive limited format training in sleep medi-
cine. Symptoms of narcolepsy and other long term sleep disorders are
often misdiagnosed as psychiatric conditions, lifestyle factors or
stress. As a result, evidence-based treatments remain underutilized.
Public education and information about sleep disorders wilt help health
professionals, public safety officials, and the community better under-
stand sleep disorders, their causes, prevalence and treatment. A state-
wide, coordinated education campaign is essential to create awareness,
normalize screening and empower patients. New York currently provides
education and outreach programs for several health conditions but does
not include sleep disordes, despite their prevalence and well-documented
impact on public health and safety.
This bill creates a program to provide materials to healthcare profes-
sionals, educators and the public, in consultation with the Office of
Mental Health, Department of Transportation, and relevant healthcare
provider groups.
This program will help raise awareness about narcolepsy and sleep disor-
ders that will increase recognition of early symptoms and improve diag-
nostic timelines, support providers in identifying and treating narco-
lepsy and sleep disorders, reduce stigma and normalize care-seeking
behaviors, enhance public safety through targeted education
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal as this program wilt be included in the already existing Depart-
ment of Health healthcare and wellness education and outreach program.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
90 days after it shall have become a law.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
10957--A
IN ASSEMBLY
April 14, 2026
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ROMERO -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Health -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as
amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing a
narcolepsy and sleep disorder education and awareness program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 207 of the public health law is
2 amended by adding a new paragraph (t) to read as follows:
3 (t) Narcolepsy and sleep disorders including the impact of narcolepsy,
4 sleep disorders and sleep health on physical, mental, and public health,
5 reducing stigma, the importance of screening and diagnosis, and the
6 public safety implications of untreated narcolepsy and other sleep
7 disorders, including risks associated with driving and occupational
8 hazards. Such program shall provide educational materials to healthcare
9 providers, educators, and the public on reducing stigma and promoting
10 screening, diagnosis, and management through evidence-based treatment
11 and medication for narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. The materials
12 may be developed in consultation with the office of mental health,
13 department of transportation, and by informed best practices from rele-
14 vant healthcare provider groups including the American Academy of Sleep
15 Medicine and disseminated by the department in coordination with commer-
16 cial health plans, healthcare provider organizations, school districts
17 and community health programs.
18 § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
19 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
20 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
21 this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
22 on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15375-04-6
