Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar’s push to explicitly add Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) to New York’s legal definition of eating disorders cleared a major hurdle in Albany when the state Senate approved the measure on June 4. The 60–0 vote marked a clean sweep in the chamber and a key moment for advocates who have been trying to bring state law in line with current clinical practice.
The official tally came in at 60 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent and 2 excused on June 4, according to the New York State Senate. Senators substituted their version of the legislation for the Assembly companion and sent it back across the Capitol the same day.
What the bill changes
The bill, A9600A, would amend Section 30.02 of the Mental Hygiene Law so that avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder is expressly listed among recognized eating disorders. It also strips out outdated references to older editions of the International Classification of Diseases. The Assembly bill page lists co-sponsors including Linda B. Rosenthal, Andrew Hevesi, Steven Raga, Jessica Gonzalez‑Rojas, Claire Valdez, Catalina Cruz, Diana Moreno and Nily Rozic, and describes the update as a way to put current diagnostic standards directly into statute.
Why supporters say it matters
Supporters argue that spelling out ARFID in state law is more than a paperwork tweak. They say the clarity should cut down on insurance denials and help fold ARFID into existing awareness, education and treatment programs that already operate under New York’s eating disorder framework.
"By passing my bill, we are affirming that New Yorkers living with arfid are seen, understood, and supported," Rajkumar said in a statement. The outlet that reported the announcement noted that sponsors expect the measure to be sent to Gov. Kathy Hochul for signature if it clears remaining procedural steps in the Assembly, according to QNS.
About ARFID
ARFID first appeared in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders with the DSM‑5 update in 2013. It is defined by a persistent limitation in the amount or variety of food eaten, driven by factors such as sensory sensitivity, fear of adverse consequences like choking, or a lack of interest in eating. Unlike conditions such as anorexia nervosa, it is not rooted in concerns about weight or body shape.
Clinical literature and advocacy groups report that prevalence estimates vary, with some studies placing rates up to roughly 3% in certain samples. The disorder is frequently associated with autism spectrum conditions, anxiety and ADHD. JAMA Pediatrics and reporting in Scientific American outline the clinical background and how understanding of ARFID has evolved.
Next steps
Legislative records show that on June 4 the Senate substituted S9063A with A9600A and returned the bill to the Assembly, which must complete any final action before the measure can be sent to the governor. If the Assembly concurs with the Senate’s substitution, sponsors say the bill would then head to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk for consideration.
Legal implications
Backers say that writing ARFID directly into state law should clarify who qualifies for coverage and state-run programs tied to eating disorder diagnoses, while also helping New York’s rules track more closely with clinical standards. They note that federal parity protections under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act already require comparable limits for mental health and medical benefits, although how that plays out depends on plan definitions and enforcement by federal and state regulators, as outlined by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Advocates are treating the Senate vote as a course correction for an outdated statute. Clinicians and providers caution that the real-world impact will hinge on how quickly insurers update their policies and whether providers can expand capacity to treat ARFID. We will continue to watch Albany for the Assembly’s final action and any subsequent move by the governor’s office.
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