Bill > A01395

This bill amends the New York Public Health Law to expand the list of individuals who can make an anatomical gift (donation of a body for medical research or education) to include a "close friend" as defined in another section of the law. Currently, the law allows certain family members, guardians, and other authorized persons to make such a donation, and this bill adds close friends to that list. Specifically, the bill modifies two sections of law to include close friends in the classes of people who can make or revoke an anatomical gift. When multiple people from the eligible classes are involved, the bill maintains the existing requirement that a majority of reasonably available members must agree to make or change the gift. The bill will take effect on the first day of January following its passage, and allows the health commissioner to take preparatory actions immediately. This change could be particularly helpful in situations where a person has no living family members but has close friends who are aware of their wishes regarding body donation.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1395