New York Assembly Bill A05099

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/25
• Refer: 2/12/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Adds xylazine to the depressants designated as controlled substances with the exception of use in cattle or other nonhuman species if approved by the federal food and drug administration.

Summary

This bill amends New York’s Public Health Law to add xylazine to the state’s controlled substances schedule as a depressant. Xylazine would be classified as a Schedule I substance, making it unlawful to knowingly and willfully administer, prescribe, dispense, or distribute it for human consumption or for any purpose other than its approved veterinary use. The bill specifically preserves an exception for xylazine-containing products intended for injection to cattle or other nonhuman species and approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for that use. The measure is aimed at tightening state control over xylazine while preserving legitimate animal-health applications. It would subject unlawful human-related handling of xylazine to the same penalties that apply to violations involving other controlled substances under the Public Health Law. The bill would take effect 30 days after becoming law, and it would primarily affect prescribers, dispensers, distributors, law enforcement, and veterinary-related users of FDA-approved animal formulations.

Impact

The bill would amend sections 3305 and 3306 of the Public Health Law to place xylazine in New York’s controlled substances framework, specifically within the depressants designated as Schedule I. It creates a narrow statutory exemption for FDA-approved xylazine products intended solely for injection to cattle or other nonhuman species, while making human use or diversion for non-animal purposes subject to controlled-substance penalties. In practice, this would expand enforcement authority over xylazine trafficking and misuse, while leaving lawful veterinary use intact.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or recorded opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the bill’s sponsorship and text, the measure appears to reflect a public-health and enforcement response to concerns about xylazine misuse and diversion. The bill’s structure suggests generally supportive sentiment toward restricting non-veterinary access while protecting legitimate animal-use products.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the balance between controlling xylazine as a dangerous substance and preserving access for veterinary medicine. Supporters are likely to emphasize overdose, diversion, and public-health risks associated with human use, while any critics may focus on whether Schedule I treatment is the appropriate classification or whether the language could create compliance burdens for veterinarians, distributors, and agricultural users. The bill’s explicit exemption for cattle and other nonhuman species is designed to address that concern.