Bill > S00719

This bill requires all medical facilities in New York State to ensure they have immediate access to every single-occupancy bathroom where a patient might be experiencing an emergency. The proposed legislation would amend the public health law by adding a new section (§ 2832) that mandates medical facilities maintain the ability to quickly enter and provide assistance in any single-occupancy bathroom within their premises. While the bill does not specify the exact mechanism for ensuring such access (such as whether this requires a master key, override lock, or other method), it aims to enable medical staff to rapidly respond to potential patient medical emergencies that might occur in bathrooms. The bill would take effect immediately upon becoming law, which means medical facilities would need to implement these access protocols as soon as the legislation is signed. The broad language suggests the intent is to prevent situations where a patient could be in medical distress but unable to be quickly reached by medical personnel due to a locked or inaccessible bathroom.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S719