Bill > A00697

This bill prohibits the use of the term "excited delirium" across multiple government domains, including death certificates, autopsy reports, police reports, and public agency policies. The bill defines "excited delirium" as a term describing a person's state of agitation, extreme aggression, and apparent pain immunity that is not recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and lacks sufficient scientific evidence to be considered a legitimate medical condition. Specifically, the bill prevents public health officials, law enforcement, county officials, and public agency employees from using "excited delirium" as a diagnosis, label, cause of death, or contributing factor to death. The legislation also prohibits training programs or materials that validate excited delirium as a medical condition and requires public agencies and contractors to remove any existing references to the term from their policies and procedures. The bill aims to address concerns about the potentially problematic use of a medically unsubstantiated term, particularly in contexts involving law enforcement interactions and death investigations. The provisions apply to various related terms, including "excited delirium syndrome," "hyperactive delirium," "agitated delirium," and "exhaustive mania." The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Health and Social Services, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A697