Bill > S08835

This bill amends existing laws related to medical aid in dying, which allows terminally ill patients to request medication to end their lives. Key changes include clarifying definitions for terms like "consulting physician" and "mental health professional," specifying that a patient must be a New York State resident to qualify, and expanding the definition of "terminal illness or condition" to include conditions that will produce death within six months, regardless of treatment. The bill also allows for alternative communication methods for oral requests if a patient is physically unable to speak, requires audio or video recording of such requests, and clarifies that witnesses to a written request cannot financially benefit from the patient's death. It also permits attending physicians to conduct initial examinations via telehealth in cases of extraordinary hardship for the patient, and requires mental health professionals to evaluate a patient's decision-making capacity before a prescription can be issued. Furthermore, the bill establishes a five-day waiting period before a prescription can be filled, unless a physician determines the patient may die before that period expires, and allows healthcare facilities to prohibit medical aid in dying based on sincerely held religious or moral beliefs, while requiring prompt transfer of patients who wish to pursue it. Finally, it clarifies that insurers cannot proactively inform patients about medical aid in dying unless requested, and that violations of these provisions can be grounds for professional misconduct. The bill also extends the effective date of certain related provisions.

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8835