Albany, NY — This month, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-119) is announcing a host of legislative achievements are set to soon take effect, bolstering protections for the victims of crimes and workplace incidents, the reliability of elections information, prescription drug access, and support for private membership establishments in New York State. “These legislative accomplishments work to ensure that all crime victims are heard and their offenders are held accountable, that our seniors and consumers have the information they need to access their prescriptions when pharmacies close, and align state and federal regulations pertaining to the disbursement of medications for addiction treatment/recovery services, strengthen our elections, and support our state’s beverage producers,” said the Assemblywoman.
The following bills will take effect this month, February 2026:
Public Protection
(A.6055A) Permits Healthcare Workers Victimized or Assaulted on the Job to Provide Interviews and
Statements to Law Enforcement at Their Workplace Ch.468 of 2025
Purpose: Proudly co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Buttenschon to ensure reporting of criminal on-the-job incidents against healthcare employees, the new legislation allows the victim to choose to provide their statement or be interviewed by law enforcement at their place of work, rather than be required to do so at the police station or law enforcement barracks to report the crime against them.
Impact: According to the New York Times, 55% of emergency-room physicians and 70% of emergency-room nurses have been physically assaulted in the workplace, most often by patients, with approximately one-third of such assaults resulting in physical injury to a healthcare worker. In instances where law enforcement are called to respond to an assault in a healthcare facility, law enforcement officers generally ask and/or require the victim
to conduct their statement or interview at the station in order to report the crime against them. However, the common occurrence of these instances, compounded by the stressful nature and long hours associated with healthcare services, discourages crime reporting, as many healthcare workers decide not to attend follow-up appointments with law enforcement, especially if the assault did not result in a serious injury. This bill will help
to ensure reporting of all criminal incidents against healthcare employees by allowing such statements and interviews taken by law enforcement to be completed at the healthcare facility, (hospital, emergency-room, nursing home, or residential healthcare facility).
“No person, regardless of profession, should face assault or victimization in the course of their duties,” stated Assemblywoman Buttenschon. “Every day, our healthcare workers are on the front-lines, caring for our communities around the clock and under increasingly difficult conditions, and if they are assaulted on the job, they deserve a clear path to justice. This common-sense action makes it easier and more accessible for victims to come forward, report their crimes, and hold perpetrators accountable.”
Elections:
(A.3415) Requiring Public-Facing Websites Operated by Political Committees to Contain “Paid For By”
Disclaimers Ch. 595 of 2025
Purpose: Co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Buttenschon, and introduced in response to the increasing prevalence of Internet-based political communications, this legislation would require all public-facing websites paid for, hosted, and/or operated by political committees to feature a disclaimer identifying the political organization responsible for the website.
Impact: This serves to increase election transparency by building on the 2018 reforms updating the election law to require that most digital political advertisements contain a funding disclaimer, by adding websites to the list of political communications that must contain a disclaimer in addition to establishing that websites operated with intent to influence an election qualify as independent expenditures subject to financial disclosures and disclaimers. “Voters shouldn’t have to guess who’s funding the political websites they visit. This bill is a common-sense step toward greater transparency in our political process. Just as we require disclosure on campaign mailers and digital ads, voters deserve to know who is behind the political content they encounter online.”
Health – Addiction & Recovery Services
(A.5892B) Authorizes Clinicians to Dispense Controlled Substances as Emergency Treatment for use Off-Premises and for use in Maintenance or Detoxification Treatment Ch.546 of 2025
Purpose: This bill authorizes the New York State Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE) to change its regulations to match Federal regulations regarding the dispensing of controlled substances for purposes of initiating maintenance treatment, detoxification treatment, or both.
Impact: Co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Buttenschon, this act would align State and Federal law to allow for clinicians and practitioners working in hospitals, clinics, and emergency rooms to dispense 3 days supply of buprenorphine and methadone for initiating detoxification and/or maintenance treatments. Doing so will allow for additional access to these crucial medications as New York State continues to fight an overdose epidemic.
“This is a logical reform prioritizing patient safety,” said Buttenschon. “In emergency situations and for individuals battling addiction, immediate and timely access to medication can reduce harm, prevent overdoses, and save lives. By providing practitioners the flexibility to dispense these medications directly, we are supporting evidence-based care while reducing barriers that delay treatment.”
Consumer Protection
(A.2278A) Requires Pharmacies Permanently Discontinuing Services to Provide a Minimum of Thirty Days Notice to all Customers Ch. 633 of 2025
Purpose: To ensure continued continuity of care, access to prescription medications, and consumer choice.
Impact: This Act requires pharmacies that are permanently closing to provide its customers a minimum of 30 days notice of the closing date, as well as a list of the five nearest pharmacies to the closing location, and detailed instructions on how to transfer patient prescriptions. “In the event of a pharmacy closure, continuity of care is essential,” stated the Assemblywoman. “This legislation serves to provide patients the opportunity they deserve and the information necessary to find the best-fitting care, before a disruption can occur.”
Alcohol & Beverage Control
(A7040B) Authorizes Private Membership Establishments to Obtain Certain Licenses for the Sale and Consumption of Alcohol On-Premises.
Purpose: This bill would amend Alcoholic Beverage Control Law to establish a new license category to allow for-profit clubs to operate solely for recreational, social, patriotic, political, benevolent, communal workspace, corporate dining space, or athletic purpose.
Impact: This legislation would support the nightlife and hospitality industry, through the establishment of a new ‘for-profit club’ license within the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. This change will create a new category for those interested in opening a club in New York and will allow entities that have been authorized under the current club license as not-for-profits the option to modify their licenses. “This reform serves to help membership-based businesses thrive. By allowing these organizations to offer alcohol service, we are further supporting their ability to compete, create jobs, and contribute to local economies,” said the Assemblywoman. These Acts take full effect between February 1st and February 19th, 2026.
About Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon
Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon proudly represents New York’s 119th Assembly District, encompassing the cities of Utica and Rome as well as the Towns of Floyd, Deerfield, Marcy, and Whitestown. From a lifelong educator and former Dean of Public Service and Emergency Preparedness at Mohawk Valley Community College, to a small family farm owner, Buttenschon brings decades of experience advocating for equity, access, and opportunity across public health, education, agriculture, and emergency services. In the Assembly, she serves as Chair of the Committee on Small Business and as a member of the Agriculture, Education, Higher Education, and Veterans’ Affairs Committees, where she champions bipartisan solutions to improve quality of life. Her work reflects a steadfast commitment to ensuring that every family in her district and beyond can live with dignity,
support, and a voice in their future.
