Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation establishing requirements for medical aid in dying (A9515), creating a legal framework for terminally ill adults to request life-ending medication. The enactment follows passage by both chambers and introduces new protocols for attending physicians and health care facilities regarding patient requests and liability protections.

The Legislature advanced multiple measures addressing health facility finance and patient rights. Both the Senate and Assembly passed bills restricting the withdrawal of equity from residential health care facilities (S8804) and prohibiting fees for providing patient medical records (S1468). The Senate also passed legislation requiring express consent for filming medical treatment (S555) and mandating 72-hour referral timelines for substance use disorders (S489).

In committee action, the Senate Insurance Committee reported bills to the floor concerning coverage for anesthesia (S3820) and prohibiting retrospective payment denials for substance use treatment (S2644). New introductions include proposals to cap cost-sharing for outpatient substance use treatment (S1763) and establish a licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians (A7319).