What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
- 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 and the crime of forgery in the second degree
In Assembly Committee · Rules · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S4922
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to witnesses to a health care proxy and to amend the penal law, in relation to the crime of forgery in the second degree
Purpose or general idea of bill
To change the number of witnesses required for the appointment of a health care agent by health care proxy.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 2981 of the public health law to require one adult witness present at the signing of a health care proxy, with the exception of persons residing at mental health facilities licensed by the state, who will sign health care proxies in the presence of two adult witnesses.
Section 2 amends the penal law to include a potential violation of this benefit under the crime of forgery in the second degree.
Justification
Individuals deserve to have their health care wishes honored, yet a large majority of New York residents do not have a health care proxy for times when they cannot express their health care preferences. As a result, their wishes are often unknown, and they might be given medical treatment that they would not want or not given treatment that matches their choices. This bill streamlines the process of assigning a health care proxy by reducing the number of witnesses required to be present at the signing of the proxy. The legislation makes an exception for those individuals who are more vulnerable by maintaining the requirement for two witnesses for individuals who reside in mental health facilities operated and licensed by the state. In these instances, the presence of two witnesses provides protection against exploitation.
Prior legislative history
A.2186 of 2011-2012 A.3787 of 2009-2010 A.10581 of 2007-2008
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.