Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday signed a package of bills designed to protect public health.

Among the legislation is a provision requiring state-regulated health plans cover biomarker testing to screen for diagnosis and appropriate treatment of diseases.

In addition, a program to help adults with cystic fibrosis pay for treatment has been reestablished.

Another bill would provide incentives to hire more full-time staff and reduce the use of temporary staffing agencies in residential health care facilities. Another piece of legislation will establish regular communication between ombudsmen at these facilities and investigators of complaints at them.

Also, local health departments will be allowed to provide certain public health services in the home without being subjected to all the regulatory requirements.

Hochul also signed two bills to address the rising cost of prescription drugs.

One bill would require manufacturers of certain drugs to notify the state of any wholesale price increases.

Another bill would expand administration of medications for treating mental health and substance abuse. It also would require pharmacists to notify prescribing physicians of administration of the medication, the governor said.