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Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Vetoed memo.6788
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading cal.287
- Substituted for A3787
- Referred to health
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 52–3
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.165
Show 6 earlier actions
- Referred to health
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.583
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to witnesses to a health care proxy
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to witnesses to a health care proxy
Purpose
To reduce the number of adult persons, in most situations, who must witness the signing of a health care proxy from two persons to one.
Summary of provisions
Amends section 2981 2(a) of the Public Health Law by reducing from two to one the number of witnesses who must sign a health care proxy, except for persons who reside in a mental hygiene facility as described in section 2981 2(b) and (c).
Existing law
Requires that two witnesses sign a health care proxy.
Justification
The need for individuals to make their health care wishes known, prior to the occurrence of circumstances that may make them incapable of doing so, is paramount to avoiding unnecessary litigation and family strife. Therefore, the process enabling individuals to complete health care proxy forms should be as simple as reasonably possible. When New York's health care proxy law was passed, advance directives and end-of-life decision-making were concepts somewhat unfamiliar to the general public. At that time, the requirement that two witnesses be present was an appropriate safeguard against the possibility that a person's wishes be misinterpreted. Today, however, one witness is sufficient.
Legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Local fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.