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Who cares
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Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
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.
Establishes the New York end of life options act
In Assembly Committee · Health · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S3685
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing the "New York end of life options act"
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to make aid in dying an open, legitimate option for terminally ill individuals in New York State.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 sets out the title of this act, the "New York End of Life Options Act."
Section 2 creates a new article 29-CCCC of the Public Health Law.
Section provides an effective date of 90 days after the date upon which the act shall have become a law.
Justification
This bill would give a mentally competent, terminally ill adult in New York State the option to request a prescription for aid-in-dying medication that they can take - when and whether they choose - if their suffering becomes unbearable. The medical option of aid in dying will improve end-of-life care overall and will benefit those who choose to access it.
This will establish a process that honors a patient's right to make informed decisions about dying and respects the individual's beliefs after receiving a terminal diagnosis. It will allow only qualified, terminally ill, and mentally competent adults to request and obtain a prescription from their physician for medication that the patient can self-administer to bring about a peaceful and humane death. Two physicians must confirm the prognosis is terminal. It will require two witnesses to attest that the request is voluntary. It will protect physicians from civil or criminal liability and from professional disciplinary action if they fulfill a qualified patient's request. Participation by doctors would be fully voluntary. It will also provide safeguards against any coercion of patients and would establish felony penalties for coercing or forging a request. It will further honor a patient's right to rescind the request at any time.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day next succeeding the date upon which it shall had become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.