Bill > S07145

This bill prohibits health care professionals in New York from participating in torture or improper treatment of incarcerated individuals, regardless of where the conduct occurs or who commits it. The legislation defines torture broadly as any intentional act causing severe physical or mental suffering for purposes like obtaining information, punishment, or intimidation, and defines improper treatment by referencing international human rights treaties and standards. Health care professionals are expressly forbidden from engaging in, assisting, planning, or being complicit in torture or improper treatment, which includes activities like providing clinical findings to facilitate such treatment, being present during torture, or altering medical records to hide evidence. The bill requires health care professionals to report any knowledge of such conduct to appropriate government agencies and professional oversight bodies, and provides whistleblower protections for those who report violations. The legislation applies to a wide range of health care professionals, from doctors and nurses to therapists and technicians, and explicitly states that it does not expand the professional scope of practice. Violations can result in professional discipline, and the bill emphasizes that health care professionals must always prioritize patient health, human dignity, and ethical standards.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7145