All Roll Calls
Yes: 212 • No: 1
New YorkS 99992025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Provides for emergency appropriation for the period April 1, 2026 through April 27, 2026
Sponsored By: José M. Serrano (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
RULESWAYS AND MEANS
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
30 provisions identified: 21 benefits, 4 costs, 5 mixed.
Emergency funding keeps Medicaid payments flowing
The law provides $6.489781 billion in state funds for Medicaid, including local administration and medical-care payments for authorized child-care agencies. It also sets aside $82.416 million for services outside institutions and other costs, including past and future obligations. That funding can pay counties and public school districts for added school supportive health-service claims. Emergency funding generally covers April 1–27, 2026, and is replaced or transferred when the annual budget becomes law. These are program and provider funds, not set payments to each household.
Funding supports Medicaid long-term care patients
Beginning April 1, 2026, nursing-home services get $142.74 million in state funds and $338.22 million in federal funds. Other long-term-care services get $679.944 million in state funds and $964.827 million in federal funds. These appropriations support Medicaid care and the providers delivering it. The emergency funding generally covers April 1–27, 2026, pending the annual budget. It does not set a payment or guarantee a level of care for each patient.
State Medicaid spending faces a cap
From April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, certain state Medicaid spending is capped at $36.0992 billion, subject to federal approval. The cap excludes specified state-facility care payments and payments outside the Health Department's budget. The Budget Director can adjust it for listed changes, including federal matching rates, provider revenue, minimum wages, and disaster costs. When projected spending exceeds the adjusted cap, state officials must plan savings and reduce spending, including through rates or benefits. Reductions must follow federal law and the state Medicaid plan, preserve federal funding where practical, and apply uniformly where practical.
Medicaid care funding includes treatment limits
Beginning April 1, 2026, Medicaid managed care gets $622.84 million in state funds and $1.177404 billion in federal funds. Funding includes Finger Lakes regional planning and required grants for accessible primary care, integrated-care planning, and electronic health records. Health-home services and grants get another $15.08 million; emergency funding generally covers April 1–27, 2026. Applied behavior analysis requires a recommendation from an authorized practitioner designated by the Health Commissioner as a center-of-excellence provider. The federal managed-care appropriation is exempt from Article 6 of the Financial Services Law.
Court workers and services stay funded
New York provides $186 million for court payrolls due April 1–27, 2026, including payroll costs incurred before April 1. It also provides $62.25 million for employee benefit costs incurred April 1–27. Those benefits include insurance, retirement, other listed programs, and workers' compensation. For the same period, courts receive $13 million for operating costs and $11 million for payments to localities.
State workers keep pay and benefits
New York provides up to about $1.229 billion for executive and legislative payrolls due April 1–27, 2026. This also covers pay for participants in state-run special employment, work-for-pay, and sheltered-workshop programs. Separate funding rises to about $691.63 million, including $683.73 million for employee benefits and $7.72 million for public-land payments. Benefit funding includes $4.67 million for the commuter transportation mobility tax on behalf of covered state employees in the district.
Funding supports Medicaid hospitals and clinics
For April 1–27, 2026, inpatient hospital care gets $96.952 million in state funds and $227.655 million in federal funds. Outpatient and emergency-room care gets $28.996 million in state funds and $40.572 million in federal funds. Clinics get $56.792 million in state funds and $65.691 million in federal funds. Safety-net general hospitals meeting severe financial distress standards set by the Health Commissioner can receive awards to keep vital services operating. Those awards also support work toward sustainable services; no hospital award or individual benefit is guaranteed.
Funding supports state-facility and behavioral care
Beginning April 1, 2026, Medicaid care at state mental health, developmental disability, and addiction facilities gets $384.616 million. Emergency funding generally covers April 1–27, 2026. Mental health and addiction officials also receive funding authority for services needed because of reductions in Medicaid inpatient behavioral-health care. Those plans require consultation with the Health Commissioner and approval from the Budget Director. The law sets no amount for these service plans and guarantees no individual level of care.
Medicaid funds can support affordable housing
Beginning April 1, 2026, the law provides $539.415 million in federal Medicaid funds for services outside institutions and other costs. It allows $288.462 million, plus available federal matching funds, to move to specified state agencies and housing entities for affordable-housing services. Transfers require a Health Commissioner allocation adjustment and Budget Director approval. Housing spending must consider where grants are located. Emergency appropriations generally cover April 1–27, 2026; the law does not promise a housing payment to each household.
More funding for unemployed workers' benefits
For the state fiscal year beginning April 1, 2026, unemployment-benefit funding rises from $765 million to $810 million. The $45 million increase supports state benefits and specified federal unemployment programs, including disaster assistance and extended benefits. Workers must qualify under the applicable state or federal program. The appropriation does not change the formula for weekly benefit amounts.
Medicaid drug funding keeps approval limits
Beginning April 1, 2026, Medicaid pharmacy services get $287.704 million in state funds and $354.657 million in federal funds. Emergency funding generally covers April 1–27, 2026. These funds cannot pay for drugs lacking explicit authorization in enacted law, rules, or regulations without the Budget Director's approval. The law funds pharmacy services but does not set each patient's drug coverage or savings.
Family-care homes can recover damage costs
Beginning April 1, 2026, certified family-care home operators can receive reimbursement for property damage caused by clients. Payments come from the family-care home appropriation and cover damage to personal property or real estate. The commissioner sets payment standards, which the Budget Director must approve. Residents do not receive these payments directly.
Disability funds cover housing and support
Beginning April 1, 2026, state aid can cover up to 100% of day-training and family-support programs' net deficit costs. Day and residential funding can cover housing subsidies, family-care start-up costs, home changes, adaptive technology, and planning costs. Funds can also operate Article 16 clinics, including supportive and skill-building services consistent with the home- and community-based waiver. Self-direction funds can cover continuity of care, family-reimbursed respite, non-staff costs, and housing subsidies listed in a state-approved budget. These funding uses do not set an individual benefit amount.
Disability support staff can perform care tasks
Beginning April 1, 2026, direct-support staff in state-approved developmental disability programs can perform tasks specified by the state disability office. Covered programs include approved home- and community-based waiver services. Registered nurses must provide required supervision, training, and periodic inspection. Tasks must follow care ordered by an authorized practitioner.
More funding pays owed food assistance
The law raises federal food and nutrition services funding from $23.54 million to $28.89 million. The extra $5.35 million pays financial assistance that accrued before enactment. It does not specify changes to eligibility or individual benefit amounts.
Personal-needs help for disability residence clients
Beginning April 1, 2026, covered residence clients can receive up to $250 per year for personal needs. Covered settings include community residences run by voluntary organizations and community residential alternatives. Qualifying individualized residential alternatives under the home- and community-based services waiver are also included. Payments depend on financial need; the commissioner sets when and how they are paid. The $250 maximum is not guaranteed.
More housing help for homeless veterans
Funding for homeless veterans' housing services rises from $132,000 to $162,000, an increase of $30,000. The money supports services and related costs during April 1–27, 2026. It does not set a payment amount for each veteran.
More employment support for disabled people
Beginning April 1, 2026, funding for developmental-disability workshops, day training, and employment services rises from $3.432 million to $4.212 million. That is a $780,000 increase. Up to $62,100 can transfer through the state education department's vocational rehabilitation program to FEDCAP's LongTerm Sheltered Employment program. The prior transfer limit was $50,600. This funds services and providers, not a specified payment to each person.
State operations and projects get funding
New York provides $44 million for ordinary state operating costs incurred April 1–27, 2026, apart from payroll. It also provides up to $10 million for capital-project costs under contracts or grants approved before April 1, 2026. Another $20 million is available for contracts or grants approved after April 1, 2026. Capital-project costs must also be incurred April 1–27. All spending must serve purposes approved by the Legislature for the 2025–2026 budget year.
Funding Medicaid rides and dental care
Beginning April 1, 2026, Medicaid transportation gets $41.328 million in state funds and $47.646 million in federal funds. Dental services get $316,000 in state funds and $5.508 million in federal funds. Emergency funding generally covers April 1–27, 2026. The money supports providers, without setting a separate household payment or guaranteeing a specific amount of service.
Indian health program gets financial support
New York provides $7 million for financial assistance through its Indian health program. Assistance must follow a plan prepared by the Health Commissioner and approved by the Budget Director. The provision does not set individual payment amounts or eligibility details.
More funding for developmental disability services
Beginning April 1, 2026, residential funding rises from $21.494 million to $26.379 million, adding $4.885 million. Day-program funding rises from $5.28 million to $6.48 million, adding $1.2 million. Family-support funding rises from $5.94 million to $7.29 million, adding $1.35 million. Funding for listed services rises from $880,000 to $1.08 million, adding $200,000 for hepatitis B, care-at-home, epilepsy, Special Olympics, and voluntary fingerprinting services. Emergency funding generally covers April 1–27, 2026, without setting household payments or changing individual eligibility.
More funding for seniors' drug program
The law raises Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program funding from $1.2 million to $1.8 million. The extra $600,000 supports program services and payments to participating pharmacies. No change to enrollee coverage or out-of-pocket costs is specified.
Medicaid funding supports minimum-wage costs
Beginning April 1, 2026, federal Medicaid appropriation funds must support qualifying salary and related benefit costs. These costs must come from legally required minimum-wage increases taking effect during the funding period. The Commissioner can authorize advance payments and require organizations to certify and report how they use the funds. This provision does not set an individual's wage.
Resident funds can pay for care
Beginning April 1, 2026, directors of facilities licensed but not operated by the state disability office can keep using resident funds. The funds must pay for that resident's care and treatment. The director must be the federally appointed representative payee and have taken responsibility for managing the funds. Federal law and regulations still apply. This does not create a new payment duty for residents.
Disability provider inflation increases were limited
For April 1, 2025–March 31, 2026, the law barred most inflation-based increases in developmental disability service reimbursements. This covered rates, payments, and contracts. The authorized 2.6% targeted inflation increase remained allowed. Prior adjustments from resetting base-year costs were also allowed. The restriction ended March 31, 2026.
State agencies face Medicaid spending limits
Beginning April 1, 2026, state agencies cannot use Medicaid medical-assistance funds for expenses not explicitly authorized by law. The Budget Director can approve exceptions. This limits agency spending authority, not recipients' payment or reporting duties.
Adult disability school payments have limits
Beginning April 1, 2026, funds can reimburse private residential schools for services to people with developmental disabilities over age 21. This covers residential and day services at schools inside and outside New York. Residential payments must subtract any Supplemental Security Income benefit the person qualifies for. Day-service reimbursement cannot exceed the maximum for comparable services from other state-approved disability providers unless the Budget Director approves otherwise.
Family-care funding includes respite and payments
Beginning April 1, 2026, certified family-care home funds can pay for general services, including respite, for no more than 14 days. Clients can also receive personal-needs payments. Covered homes include those sponsored by voluntary nonprofit agencies. The commissioner sets amounts or rates, with Budget Director approval where required; the law states no specific payment amount.
Disability housing aid carries property liens
Beginning April 1, 2026, the state developmental-disability office can provide aid, loans, or grants for supportive housing development. Units must be set aside for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Financing follows terms set by the office's commissioner. The office receives a property lien equal to the loan or grant for up to 30 years. The lien can last longer when another regulatory agency requires it; this is not a direct household payment.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
José M. Serrano
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/22/2026
FLOOR Vote
Yes: 58 • No: 1
committee vote • 4/22/2026
Rules Committee Vote
Yes: 18 • No: 0
House vote • 4/22/2026
Assembly floor vote
Yes: 136 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
SIGNED CHAP.105
4/22/2026SenateDELIVERED TO GOVERNOR
4/22/2026SenateRETURNED TO SENATE
4/22/2026HousePASSED ASSEMBLY
4/22/2026HouseMESSAGE OF NECESSITY - 3 DAY MESSAGE
4/22/2026HouseMESSAGE OF NECESSITY - APPROPRIATION
4/22/2026HouseORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.102
4/22/2026HouseSUBSTITUTED FOR A11020
4/22/2026HouseREFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
4/22/2026HouseDELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
4/22/2026SenatePASSED SENATE
4/22/2026SenateMESSAGE OF NECESSITY - 3 DAY MESSAGE
4/22/2026SenateMESSAGE OF NECESSITY - APPROPRIATION
4/22/2026SenateORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.822
4/22/2026SenateREFERRED TO RULES
4/22/2026Senate
Bill Text
Original
4/22/2026
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