Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday an agreement with the New York State Legislature to allow medical aid in dying for terminally ill residents with less than six months to live. The bill, with agreed-upon amendments, is expected to be passed and signed in January, with the law taking effect six months later.
The legislation includes a number of safeguards to ensure patients make voluntary, informed decisions and that medical providers and religiously affiliated health facilities are not required to participate. Additional protections agreed to under the announcement include:
- A mandatory five-day waiting period between when a prescription is written and filled.
- Recording of the patient’s oral request via video or audio.
- A required mental health evaluation by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist.
- Restrictions preventing individuals who may benefit financially from the patient’s death from serving as witnesses or interpreters.
- Limiting access to New York residents.
- Requiring the initial physician evaluation to be conducted in person.
- Allowing religiously affiliated home hospice providers to opt out of participation.
- Defining violations of the law as professional misconduct under the Education Law.
- Delaying the law’s effective date for six months to allow the Department of Health and health care facilities to implement regulations and prepare staff.
The law is designed to provide terminally ill patients with the option to end their lives on their own terms while establishing clear procedures and safeguards for both patients and providers.
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