Senate bill · S10516 (2025-26)
Relates to certified medication aides
New York State Senate
Same as A1272, the matching bill in the Assembly.
Summary
Provides for certified medication aides to administer certain medications in residential health care facilities.
Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries
Amends the Education Law.
From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 30, 2026. About our data
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Purpose, from the sponsor's memo
Section one of the bill amends section 6908 of the Education Law to authorize certified medication aides to administer routine medications in nursing homes in accordance with regulations developed by the Commis- sioner of Education in consultation with the Commissioner of Health. The section further directs the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health, to adopt regulations governing certi- fied medication aides and specifies the elements of the regulations including the supervision and assignment requirements; the qualifica- tions, training and examination requirements for certified medication aides; and limitations on the medication aide role. Section two of the bill amends section 6909 of the Education Law to authorize registered professional nurses to assign medication-related tasks to certified medication aides and supervise certified medication aides. Section three of the bill amends section 2803-j of the Public Health Law to add certified medication aides to the nurse aide registry. Section four of the bill provides an immediate effective date and requires the regulations to be adopted not later than 120 days after enactment.
Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)
Where it stands
Assigned to a committee for review.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Up for a vote
- Passed one chamber
- Passed
- Enacted
Committee
Higher Education · New York State Assembly
Also referred to Higher Education · New York State Senate.
Cosponsors
Albert A. Stirpe, Amy Paulin and 6 more on Agora
Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab)- Democratic6
- Republican2
This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.
Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.
The sponsor's argument
Why Jeremy Cooney says this is needed
Certified Medication Aides in the nursing home would enhance the certi- fied nurse aide (CNA) career ladder and allow registered professional nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to focus on higher level tasks such as complex wound care, monitoring resident respiratory functions, and collaborating with other medical professionals, thereby mitigating nursing shortages and improving the quality of care. In New York's OPWDD system, direct support professionals who are not licensed nurses are similarly authorized to administer medications, if they receive enhanced training. And, in approximately 25 other states, medication aides are authorized to administer medications in nursing homes. The authorization of Certified Medication Aides in the nursing home would not only enhance the quality of care for older adults residing in nursing homes, it would also improve professional development and satis- faction of nurses and aides. FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE: None
This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.
Full history
- May 15, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Senate
- Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Assembly
- Jan 9, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Assembly