S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
1131
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 14, 2019
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Introduced by M. of A. GOTTFRIED, RICHARDSON, BRONSON, VANEL, DICKENS,
RA, SEAWRIGHT, HUNTER, LIFTON, LUPARDO -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of
A. LENTOL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to allowing for
facility caregivers to possess medical marihuana in a similar manner
to that of a designated caregiver
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subdivision 12 of section 3360 of the public health law, as
added by chapter 90 of the laws of 2014, is amended and a new subdivi-
sion 19 is added to read as follows:
12. "Practitioner" means a practitioner who (i) is [a physician]
AUTHORIZED BY THIS ARTICLE TO PRESCRIBE A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, IS
licensed [by New York state and practicing within the state] OR OTHER-
WISE AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE UNDER TITLE EIGHT OF THE EDUCATION LAW, AND
IS ACTING WITHIN HIS OR HER LAWFUL SCOPE OF PRACTICE, (ii) [who] by
training or experience is qualified to treat a serious condition as
defined in subdivision seven of this section; and (iii) has completed a
two to four hour course as determined by the commissioner in regulation
and registered with the department; provided however, a registration
shall not be denied without cause. Such course may count toward board
certification requirements. [The commissioner shall consider the inclu-
sion of nurse practitioners under this title based upon considerations
including access and availability. After such consideration the commis-
sioner is authorized to deem nurse practitioners as practitioners under
this title.]
19. "MEDICAL MARIHUANA RESEARCH PROGRAM" MEANS A MEDICAL MARIHUANA
RESEARCH PROGRAM UNDER SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION THIRTY-THREE HUNDRED
SIXTY-SEVEN OF THIS TITLE.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03859-01-9
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§ 2. Subdivision 5 of section 3360 of the public health law, as added
by chapter 90 of the laws of 2014, is amended and two new subdivisions
20 and 21 are added to read as follows:
5. "Designated caregiver" means the individual OR FACILITY CAREGIVER
designated by a certified patient in a registry application. A certified
patient may designate up to two designated caregivers, NOT COUNTING A
FACILITY CAREGIVER OR FACILITY CAREGIVER EMPLOYEE.
20. "FACILITY CAREGIVER" MEANS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING THAT IS CARING FOR
THE CERTIFIED PATIENT:
(A) A GENERAL HOSPITAL OR RESIDENTIAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY OPERATING
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT OF THIS CHAPTER;
(B) AN ADULT CARE FACILITY OPERATING PURSUANT TO TITLE TWO OF ARTICLE
SEVEN OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW;
(C) A COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH RESIDENCE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 41.44 OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW;
(D) A HOSPITAL OPERATING PURSUANT TO SECTION 7.17 OF THE MENTAL
HYGIENE LAW;
(E) A MENTAL HYGIENE FACILITY OPERATING PURSUANT TO ARTICLE THIRTY-ONE
OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW;
(F) AN INPATIENT OR RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM CERTIFIED PURSUANT
TO ARTICLE THIRTY-TWO OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW;
(G) A RESIDENTIAL FACILITY FOR THE CARE AND TREATMENT OF PERSONS WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES OPERATING PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SIXTEEN OF THE
MENTAL HYGIENE LAW;
(H) A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH OPERATING
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE THIRTY-ONE OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW;
(I) A PRIVATE OR PUBLIC PRIMARY OR SECONDARY SCHOOL CHARTED BY THE NEW
YORK STATE BOARD OF REGENTS PURSUANT TO SECTION TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN OF
THE EDUCATION LAW;
(J) AN ENTITY CONDUCTING OR PARTICIPATING IN A MEDICAL MARIHUANA
RESEARCH PROGRAM UNDER SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION THIRTY-THREE HUNDRED
SIXTY-SEVEN OF THIS TITLE, WITH RESPECT TO A CERTIFIED PATIENT ENROLLED
IN THE PROGRAM;
(K) ANY OTHER FACILITY DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE COMMISSIONER; OR
(L) A FACILITY CAREGIVER EMPLOYEE.
21. "FACILITY CAREGIVER EMPLOYEE" MEANS AN EMPLOYEE OF A FACILITY
CAREGIVER WHO PERFORMS THE SERVICES OF A DESIGNATED CAREGIVER FOR THE
FACILITY CAREGIVER.
§ 3. Subdivision 2 of section 3362 of the public health law, as added
by chapter 90 of the laws of 2014, is amended and a new subdivision 3 is
added to read as follows:
2. Notwithstanding subdivision one of this section:
(a) possession of medical marihuana shall not be lawful under this
title if it is smoked, consumed, vaporized, or grown in a public place,
regardless of the form of medical marihuana stated in the patient's
certification.
(b) a [person] CERTIFIED PATIENT OR DESIGNATED CAREGIVER possessing
medical marihuana under this title shall possess his or her registry
identification card at all times when in immediate possession of medical
marihuana.
3. THE POSSESSION, ACQUISITION, TRANSPORTATION, STORAGE, OR ADMINIS-
TRATION OF MEDICAL MARIHUANA BY A FACILITY CAREGIVER, SHALL BE LAWFUL
UNDER THIS TITLE; PROVIDED THAT:
(A) THE FACILITY CAREGIVER FIRST REGISTERS WITH THE DEPARTMENT, ON A
FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER;
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(B) SUCH POSSESSION, ACQUISITION, TRANSPORTATION, STORAGE, OR ADMINIS-
TRATION IS ON BEHALF OF A CERTIFIED PATIENT;
(C) THE FACILITY CAREGIVER MAINTAINS A COPY OF THE REGISTRY IDENTIFI-
CATION CARD OF EACH CERTIFIED PATIENT FOR WHICH IT POSSESSES, ACQUIRES,
TRANSPORTS, STORES OR ADMINISTERS MEDICAL MARIHUANA; AND
(D) A FACILITY CAREGIVER EMPLOYEE SHALL BE IDENTIFIED AS AN EMPLOYEE
WHEN NECESSARY, AS PROVIDED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
§ 4. Subdivisions 2, 3 and 5 of section 3363 of the public health law,
as added by chapter 90 of the laws of 2014, are amended to read as
follows:
2. To obtain, amend or renew a registry identification card, a certi-
fied patient or designated caregiver shall file a registry application
with the department. The registry application or renewal application
shall include:
(a) in the case of a certified patient:
(i) the patient's certification (a new written certification shall be
provided with a renewal application);
(ii) the name, address, and date of birth of the patient;
(iii) the date of the certification;
(iv) if the patient has a registry identification card based on a
current valid certification, the registry identification number and
expiration date of that registry identification card;
(v) the specified date until which the patient would benefit from
medical marihuana, if the certification states such a date;
(vi) the name, address, federal registration number, and telephone
number of the certifying practitioner;
(vii) any recommendation or limitation by the practitioner as to the
form or forms of medical marihuana or dosage for the certified patient;
and
(viii) other individual identifying information required by the
department;
(b) in the case of a certified patient, if the patient designates a
designated caregiver, the name, address, and date of birth of the desig-
nated caregiver, and other individual identifying information required
by the department;
(c) in the case of a designated caregiver:
(i) the name, address, and date of birth of the designated caregiver;
(ii) if the designated caregiver has a registry identification card,
the registry identification number and expiration date of that registry
identification card; and
(iii) other individual identifying information required by the depart-
ment;
(d) IN THE CASE OF A FACILITY CAREGIVER, THE FACILITY SHALL MAKE AN
APPLICATION UNDER PARAGRAPH (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION FOR THE FACILITY;
THE COMMISSIONER SHALL APPROPRIATELY MODIFY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR INFOR-
MATION TO BE PROVIDED IN THE APPLICATION OF A FACILITY CAREGIVER; AND
DESIGNATION OF FACILITY CAREGIVER EMPLOYEES SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED;
(E) a statement that a false statement made in the application is
punishable under section 210.45 of the penal law;
[(e)] (F) the date of the application and the signature of the certi-
fied patient or designated caregiver, as the case may be;
[(f)] (G) a fifty dollar application fee, provided, that the depart-
ment may waive or reduce the fee in cases of financial hardship; and
[(g)] (H) any other requirements determined by the commissioner.
3. Where a certified patient is under the age of eighteen:
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(a) The application for a registry identification card shall be made
by an appropriate person over twenty-one years of age. The application
shall state facts demonstrating that the person is appropriate.
(b) The designated caregiver shall be (i) a parent or legal guardian
of the certified patient, (ii) a person designated by a parent or legal
guardian, [or] (iii) IN THE CASE OF SUCH A CERTIFIED PATIENT BEING CARED
FOR BY A FACILITY CAREGIVER, THE FACILITY CAREGIVER DESIGNATED BY THE
PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF THE CERTIFIED PATIENT, OR (IV) an appropri-
ate person approved by the department upon a sufficient showing that no
parent or legal guardian is appropriate or available.
5. No person may be a designated caregiver for more than five certi-
fied patients at one time; PROVIDED THAT THIS LIMITATION SHALL NOT APPLY
TO A FACILITY CAREGIVER OR FACILITY CAREGIVER EMPLOYEE.
§ 5. Subdivision 3 of section 3364 of the public health law, as added
by chapter 90 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
3. Each registered organization shall contract with an independent
laboratory to test the medical marihuana produced by the registered
organization. The commissioner shall approve the laboratory and require
that the laboratory report testing results in a manner determined by the
commissioner. The commissioner is authorized to issue regulation requir-
ing the laboratory to perform certain tests and services. SUCH LABORATO-
RY SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED BY THE FEDERAL DRUG ENFORCEMENT
ADMINISTRATION.
§ 6. Section 3364 of the public health law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 14 to read as follows:
14. A REGISTERED ORGANIZATION MAY CONTRACT WITH A PERSON OR ENTITY TO
PROVIDE FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, OR SERVICES THAT ARE PART OF OR INCI-
DENTAL TO THE REGISTERED ORGANIZATION'S FUNCTIONS OR ACTIVITIES UNDER
THIS SECTION. ALL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO THE FACILITIES,
EQUIPMENT OR SERVICES SHALL APPLY TO THE CONTRACTOR. THE REGISTERED
ORGANIZATION AND OTHER PARTIES TO THE CONTRACT SHALL EACH BE RESPONSIBLE
AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH SUCH LAWS AND REGULATIONS UNDER THE
CONTRACT. CONTRACTING UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE APPROVED BY THE
COMMISSIONER, UNLESS THE COMMISSIONER PROVIDES OTHERWISE BY REGULATION.
THE COMMISSIONER MAY MAKE REGULATIONS CONSISTENT WITH THIS TITLE RELAT-
ING TO CONTRACTS AND PARTIES TO CONTRACTS UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION.
§ 7. Subdivision 9 of section 3365 of the public health law, as added
by chapter 90 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
9. The commissioner shall register [no more than five] registered
organizations that manufacture medical marihuana with no more than
[four] EIGHT dispensing sites wholly owned and operated by EACH such
registered organization. The commissioner shall ensure that such [regis-
tered organizations and] dispensing sites are geographically distributed
across the state. [The commission may register additional registered
organizations] EACH REGISTERED ORGANIZATION, GIVEN NO DISPENSING SITE
SHALL BE LOCATED WITHIN ONE THOUSAND FEET OF ANOTHER DISPENSING SITE,
SHALL BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE:
(A) NO MORE THAN TWO DISPENSING SITES IN TOTAL IN THE COUNTIES OF NEW
YORK, KINGS, QUEENS, BRONX, AND RICHMOND;
(B) NO MORE THAN TWO DISPENSING SITES IN TOTAL IN THE COUNTIES OF
NASSAU, SUFFOLK, AND WESTCHESTER; AND
(C) NO MORE THAN FOUR DISPENSING SITES IN TOTAL IN THE COUNTIES OTHER
THAN THE COUNTIES OF NEW YORK, KINGS, QUEENS, BRONX, RICHMOND, NASSAU,
SUFFOLK, AND WESTCHESTER.
§ 8. Subdivision 3 of section 3367 of the public health law is renum-
bered subdivision 4 and a new subdivision 3 is added to read as follows:
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3. THE COMMISSIONER MAY MAKE REGULATIONS AUTHORIZING THE POSSESSION,
ACQUISITION, USE, DELIVERY, TRANSFER, TRANSPORTATION, STORAGE, OR ADMIN-
ISTRATION OF MEDICAL MARIHUANA FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES.
§ 9. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that
the amendments to title 5-A of article 33 of the public health law made
by sections one, two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight of this
act shall not affect the repeal of such title and shall be deemed
repealed therewith; provided further, however, that sections two, three
and four of this act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it
shall have become a law; and provided further, however, section six of
this act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.