Bill > A07200

This bill provides a new set of rules for hospital visitation by clergy members, ensuring that patients can receive visits from religious representatives under specific conditions. The law allows patients or their legal representatives to request visitation from a clergy member of their religious congregation, subject to certain restrictions. These restrictions include ensuring that the visitation does not interfere with hospital operations, patient treatment, or the safety of patients and hospital personnel. If a hospital has a visitor limit policy, the bill allows a clergy member to visit alongside the maximum number of other visitors for up to one hour. In critical situations, such as life-threatening emergencies or end-of-life care, clergy members may visit outside normal visitation hours. The bill also preserves hospitals' rights to restrict visitation in cases of health or safety risks, in specific medical units like transmissible disease or burn units, and allows hospitals to require identification from clergy visitors. Importantly, the law does not mandate that clergy members provide visitation, but rather establishes a framework for permitting such visits when appropriate. The bill will take effect 30 days after becoming law, with provisions for preparing implementing regulations in advance.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7200