S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
306--A
Cal. No. 22
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
(PREFILED)
January 6, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. GOTTFRIED, CAHILL, J. RIVERA, GLICK, PAULIN,
COOK, PERRY, ENGLEBRIGHT, O'DONNELL, L. ROSENTHAL, HEVESI, BRONSON,
FAHY, DICKENS, TAYLOR, SIMON, SAYEGH, CRUZ, REYES, ABINANTI, DARLING,
FERNANDEZ, GALLAGHER, GRIFFIN, SEAWRIGHT, BURDICK, KELLES, JACKSON,
LAVINE, GONZALEZ-ROJAS, BICHOTTE HERMELYN, OTIS -- Multi-Sponsored by
-- M. of A. CARROLL, DINOWITZ, EPSTEIN, GALEF, HUNTER, LUPARDO,
PEOPLES-STOKES, PRETLOW -- read once and referred to the Committee on
Higher Education -- ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered
reprinted, retaining its place on the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the public health law, the education law and the labor
law, in relation to prohibiting participation in torture and improper
treatment of incarcerated persons by health care professionals
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative policy and intent. This legislation is based
on, and is intended to give effect to, international treaties and stand-
ards; federal, state and local law; and professional standards relating
to torture, improper treatment of incarcerated persons, and related
matters. It is guided by two basic principles: (1) health care profes-
sionals shall be dedicated to providing the highest standard of health
care, with compassion and respect for human dignity and rights; and (2)
torture and improper treatment of incarcerated persons are wrong and
inconsistent with the practice of the health care professions. The
legislature finds that the conduct prohibited by this act violates the
ethical and legal obligations of licensed health care professionals.
This legislation will further protect the professionalism of New York
state licensed health care professionals by authorizing and obligating
them to refuse to participate in torture and improper treatment of
incarcerated persons, which in turn will protect the life and health of
the people of the state and those with whom New York licensed health
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00111-04-2
A. 306--A 2
care professionals interact. A health care professional who comes to
the aid of an incarcerated person should not be presumed to be in
violation when she or he is fulfilling the ethical principle of benefi-
cence. In contrast, a health care professional who, for example, attends
to an incarcerated person in order to allow torture or improper treat-
ment to commence or continue is not acting beneficently. Such practices
are inconsistent with professional ethics and standards and are
violations of this legislation. The legislature is mindful that ordi-
narily there are limits on New York state's jurisdiction relating to
conduct outside the state or under federal authority. However, it is
proper for the state to regulate health care professional licensure in
relation to a professional's conduct, even where the conduct occurs
outside the state; certain wrongful out-of-state conduct is already
grounds for professional discipline. Therefore, it is the legislature's
intent that this legislation be applied to the fullest extent possible.
§ 2. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 25 to
read as follows:
§ 25. PARTICIPATION IN TORTURE OR IMPROPER TREATMENT OF INCARCERATED
PERSONS BY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS. 1. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS
SECTION, THE TERMS "TORTURE" AND "IMPROPER TREATMENT" SHALL BE INTER-
PRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL TREA-
TIES TO WHICH THE UNITED STATES IS A PARTY. HOWEVER, FOR THE PURPOSES
OF THIS SECTION, IT SHALL NOT BE AN ELEMENT OF EITHER "TORTURE" OR
"IMPROPER TREATMENT" THAT SUCH ACTS BE COMMITTED BY A GOVERNMENT OR
NON-GOVERNMENT ACTOR, ENTITY, OR OFFICIAL; UNDER COLOR OF LAW; OR NOT
UNDER COLOR OF LAW. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT CLEARLY
REQUIRES OTHERWISE, THE FOLLOWING TERMS HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
(A) "HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL" MEANS ANY PERSON LICENSED, REGISTERED,
CERTIFIED, OR EXEMPT TO PRACTICE UNDER (I) ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES
OF THE EDUCATION LAW: ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE (MEDICINE), ONE HUNDRED
THIRTY-ONE-B (PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS), ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE-C (SPECIAL-
IST ASSISTANTS), ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-TWO (CHIROPRACTIC), ONE HUNDRED
THIRTY-THREE (DENTISTRY, DENTAL HYGIENE, AND REGISTERED DENTAL ASSIST-
ING), ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-SIX (PHYSICAL THERAPY AND PHYSICAL THERAPIST
ASSISTANTS), ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN (PHARMACY), ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-
NINE (NURSING), ONE HUNDRED FORTY (PROFESSIONAL MIDWIFERY PRACTICE ACT),
ONE HUNDRED FORTY-ONE (PODIATRY), ONE HUNDRED FORTY-THREE (OPTOMETRY),
ONE HUNDRED FORTY-FOUR (OPHTHALMIC DISPENSING), ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE
(PSYCHOLOGY), ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR (SOCIAL WORK), ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-
FIVE (MASSAGE THERAPY), ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX (OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY),
ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-SEVEN (DIETETICS AND NUTRITION), ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-
NINE (SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS), ONE HUNDRED SIXTY
(ACUPUNCTURE), ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS),
ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS AND RESPIRATORY THERAPY
TECHNICIANS), ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (CLINICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY
PRACTICE ACT), OR ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX (MEDICAL PHYSICS PRACTICE), OR
(II) ARTICLE THIRTY-FIVE OF THIS CHAPTER (PRACTICE OF RADIOLOGIC TECH-
NOLOGY).
(B) "TORTURE" MEANS ANY INTENTIONAL ACT OR INTENTIONAL OMISSION BY
WHICH SEVERE PAIN OR SUFFERING, WHETHER PHYSICAL OR MENTAL, IS INFLICTED
ON A PERSON FOR NO LAWFUL PURPOSE OR FOR SUCH PURPOSES AS OBTAINING FROM
THE PERSON OR FROM A THIRD PERSON INFORMATION OR A CONFESSION, PUNISHING
OR DISCIPLINING OR RETALIATING AGAINST THE PERSON FOR AN ACT THE PERSON
OR A THIRD PERSON HAS CARRIED OUT (INCLUDING THE HOLDING OF A BELIEF OR
MEMBERSHIP IN ANY GROUP) OR IS SUSPECTED OF HAVING OR PERCEIVED TO HAVE
A. 306--A 3
CARRIED OUT, OR INTIMIDATING OR COERCING THE PERSON OR A THIRD PERSON,
OR FOR ANY REASON BASED ON DISCRIMINATION OF ANY KIND.
(C) "IMPROPER TREATMENT" MEANS (I) CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING, TREAT-
MENT OR PUNISHMENT AS DEFINED BY APPLICABLE INTERNATIONAL TREATIES
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE, AND OTHER
CRUEL, INHUMANE, OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT, THE INTERNATIONAL
COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS, THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD
MINIMUM RULES FOR TREATMENT OF PRISONERS, THE BODY OF PRINCIPLES FOR THE
PROTECTION OF ALL PERSONS UNDER ANY FORM OF DETENTION OR IMPRISONMENT,
THE BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR THE TREATMENT OF PRISONERS AND, THE UNITED
NATIONS STANDARD MINIMUM RULES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUVENILE
JUSTICE AND THEIR CORRESPONDING INTERPRETING BODIES; AND APPLICABLE NEW
YORK STATE LAW GOVERNING THE PROPER TREATMENT OF INCARCERATED PERSONS
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SUBDIVISIONS TWENTY-THREE, THIRTY-THREE
AND THIRTY-FOUR OF SECTION TWO, SECTIONS FORTY-FIVE AND ONE HUNDRED
THIRTY-SEVEN, SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF SECTION ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-EIGHT, AND
SECTIONS FOUR HUNDRED ONE, FOUR HUNDRED ONE-A AND FIVE HUNDRED-K OF THE
CORRECTION LAW, OR APPLICABLE STATE OR LOCAL LAW; OR CRUEL AND UNUSUAL
PUNISHMENT AS DEFINED IN THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION OR THE NEW YORK
STATE CONSTITUTION; OR (II) ANY VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION THREE OR FOUR
OF THIS SECTION; OR (III) ANY FORM OF PHYSICAL BRUTALITY, IMPROPER USE
OF FORCE, OR DEPRIVATION OF FOOD, WATER, BASIC HYGIENE MATERIALS AND
ACCESS, OR OTHER BASIC HUMAN NEEDS OR LIVING CONDITIONS.
(D) "INCARCERATED PERSON" MEANS ANY PERSON WHO IS SUBJECT TO PUNISH-
MENT, DETENTION, INCARCERATION, INTERROGATION, INTIMIDATION OR COERCION,
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH ACTION IS PERFORMED OR COMMITTED BY A GOVERN-
MENT OR NON-GOVERNMENT ACTOR, ENTITY, OR OFFICIAL; UNDER COLOR OF LAW;
OR NOT UNDER COLOR OF LAW.
(E) TO "ADVERSELY AFFECT" A PERSON'S PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH OR
CONDITION DOES NOT INCLUDE CAUSING ADVERSE EFFECTS THAT MAY ARISE FROM
TREATMENT OR CARE WHEN THAT TREATMENT OR CARE IS PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH GENERALLY APPLICABLE LEGAL, HEALTH AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND
FOR THE PURPOSES OF EVALUATING, TREATING, PROTECTING OR IMPROVING THE
PERSON'S HEALTH.
(F) "INTERROGATION" MEANS THE QUESTIONING RELATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT,
THE ENFORCEMENT OF RULES OR REGULATIONS OF AN INSTITUTION IN WHICH
PEOPLE ARE DETAINED THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OR FOR MILITARY
OR NATIONAL SECURITY REASONS (SUCH AS A JAIL OR OTHER DETENTION FACILI-
TY, POLICE FACILITY, PRISON, IMMIGRATION FACILITY, OR MILITARY FACILITY)
OR TO MILITARY AND NATIONAL SECURITY INTELLIGENCE GATHERING, WHETHER BY
A GOVERNMENT OR NON-GOVERNMENT ACTOR, ENTITY OR OFFICIAL. "INTERRO-
GATION" SHALL ALSO INCLUDE QUESTIONING TO AID OR ACCOMPLISH ANY ILLEGAL
ACTIVITY OR PURPOSE, WHETHER BY A GOVERNMENT OR NON-GOVERNMENT ACTOR,
ENTITY OR OFFICIAL. INTERROGATIONS ARE DISTINCT FROM QUESTIONING USED BY
HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO ASSESS THE PHYSICAL OR MENTAL CONDITION OF
AN INDIVIDUAL.
2. KNOWLEDGE. IT SHALL BE AN ELEMENT OF ANY VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION
THAT THE ACTOR KNEW OR REASONABLY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT HIS OR HER
CONDUCT IS OF THE KIND PROHIBITED UNDER THIS SECTION. A HEALTH CARE
PROFESSIONAL WHO RECEIVES INFORMATION THAT INDICATES THAT AN INCARCERAT-
ED PERSON AS DEFINED BY THIS SECTION IS BEING, MAY IN THE FUTURE BE, OR
HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO TORTURE OR IMPROPER TREATMENT, MUST USE DUE DILI-
GENCE, IN ORDER TO ASSESS THE NATURE OF HIS OR HER CONDUCT AS COVERED BY
THIS SECTION.
3. GENERAL OBLIGATIONS OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS. (A) EVERY HEALTH
CARE PROFESSIONAL SHALL PROVIDE EVERY INCARCERATED PERSON UNDER HIS OR
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HER PROFESSIONAL CARE WITH CARE OR TREATMENT CONSISTENT WITH GENERALLY
APPLICABLE LEGAL, HEALTH AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS TO THE EXTENT THAT
HE OR SHE IS REASONABLY ABLE TO DO SO UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING
PROTECTING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF PATIENT INFORMATION.
(B) IN ALL CLINICAL ASSESSMENTS RELATING TO AN INCARCERATED PERSON,
WHETHER FOR THERAPEUTIC OR EVALUATIVE PURPOSES, HEALTH CARE PROFES-
SIONALS SHALL EXERCISE THEIR PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT INDEPENDENT OF THE
INTERESTS OF A GOVERNMENT OR OTHER THIRD PARTY.
4. CERTAIN CONDUCT OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS PROHIBITED. (A) NO
HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL SHALL APPLY HIS OR HER KNOWLEDGE OR SKILLS IN
RELATION TO, ENGAGE IN ANY PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH, OR PERFORM
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IN RELATION TO ANY INCARCERATED PERSON UNLESS THE
PURPOSE IS SOLELY TO EVALUATE, TREAT, PROTECT, OR IMPROVE THE PHYSICAL
OR MENTAL HEALTH OR CONDITION OF THE INCARCERATED PERSON (EXCEPT AS
PERMITTED BY PARAGRAPH (B) OR (C) OF SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS SECTION).
(B) NO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL SHALL ENGAGE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY,
IN ANY ACT WHICH CONSTITUTES PARTICIPATION IN, COMPLICITY IN, INCITEMENT
TO, ASSISTANCE IN, PLANNING OR DESIGN OF, COVER UP OF, FAILURE TO DOCU-
MENT, OR ATTEMPT OR CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT TORTURE OR IMPROPER TREATMENT
OF AN INCARCERATED PERSON. PROHIBITED FORMS OF ENGAGEMENT INCLUDE BUT
ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
(I) PROVIDING MEANS, KNOWLEDGE OR SKILLS, INCLUDING CLINICAL FINDINGS
OR TREATMENT, WITH THE INTENT TO FACILITATE THE PRACTICE OF TORTURE OR
IMPROPER TREATMENT;
(II) PERMITTING HIS OR HER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS OR CLINICAL FINDINGS OR
TREATMENT TO BE USED IN THE PROCESS OF OR TO FACILITATE TORTURE OR
IMPROPER TREATMENT;
(III) EXAMINING, EVALUATING, OR TREATING AN INCARCERATED PERSON TO
CERTIFY WHETHER TORTURE OR IMPROPER TREATMENT CAN BEGIN, BE CONTINUED,
OR BE RESUMED;
(IV) BEING PRESENT WHILE TORTURE OR IMPROPER TREATMENT IS BEING ADMIN-
ISTERED;
(V) OMITTING OR SUPPRESSING INDICATIONS OF TORTURE OR IMPROPER TREAT-
MENT FROM RECORDS OR REPORTS; AND
(VI) ALTERING HEALTH CARE RECORDS OR REPORTS TO HIDE, MISREPRESENT OR
DESTROY EVIDENCE OF TORTURE OR IMPROPER TREATMENT.
(C) NO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL SHALL APPLY HIS OR HER KNOWLEDGE OR
SKILLS OR PERFORM ANY PROFESSIONAL SERVICE IN ORDER TO ASSIST IN THE
PUNISHMENT, DETENTION, INCARCERATION, INTIMIDATION, OR COERCION OF AN
INCARCERATED PERSON WHEN SUCH ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED IN A MANNER THAT
MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH OR CONDITION OF THE
INCARCERATED PERSON (EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY PARAGRAPH (A) OR (B) OF
SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS SECTION).
(D) NO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL SHALL PARTICIPATE IN THE INTERROGATION
OF AN INCARCERATED PERSON, INCLUDING BEING PRESENT IN THE INTERROGATION
ROOM, ASKING OR SUGGESTING QUESTIONS, ADVISING ON THE USE OF SPECIFIC
INTERROGATION TECHNIQUES, MONITORING THE INTERROGATION, OR MEDICALLY OR
PSYCHOLOGICALLY EVALUATING A PERSON FOR THE PURPOSE OF IDENTIFYING
POTENTIAL INTERROGATION METHODS OR STRATEGIES. HOWEVER, THIS PARAGRAPH
SHALL NOT BAR A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL FROM ENGAGING IN CONDUCT UNDER
PARAGRAPH (D) OF SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS SECTION.
5. CERTAIN CONDUCT OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS PERMITTED. A HEALTH
CARE PROFESSIONAL MAY ENGAGE IN THE FOLLOWING CONDUCT SO LONG AS IT DOES
NOT VIOLATE SUBDIVISION THREE OR FOUR OF THIS SECTION, IT DOES NOT
ADVERSELY AFFECT THE PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH OR CONDITION OF AN INCAR-
CERATED PERSON OR POTENTIAL SUBJECT, AND IS NOT OTHERWISE UNLAWFUL:
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(A) APPROPRIATELY PARTICIPATING OR AIDING IN THE INVESTIGATION, PROSE-
CUTION, OR DEFENSE OF A CRIMINAL, ADMINISTRATIVE OR CIVIL MATTER;
(B) PARTICIPATING IN AN ACT THAT RESTRAINS AN INCARCERATED PERSON OR
TEMPORARILY ALTERS THE PHYSICAL OR MENTAL ACTIVITY OF AN INCARCERATED
PERSON, WHERE THE ACT COMPLIES WITH GENERALLY APPLICABLE LEGAL, HEALTH
AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, IS NECESSARY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE PHYS-
ICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH, CONDITION OR SAFETY OF THE INCARCERATED PERSON,
OTHER INCARCERATED PERSONS, OR PERSONS CARING FOR, GUARDING OR CONFINING
THE INCARCERATED PERSON;
(C) CONDUCTING BONA FIDE HUMAN SUBJECT RESEARCH IN ACCORDANCE WITH
GENERALLY ACCEPTED LEGAL, HEALTH AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS WHERE THE
RESEARCH INCLUDES SAFEGUARDS FOR HUMAN SUBJECTS EQUIVALENT TO THOSE
REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW, INCLUDING INFORMED CONSENT AND INSTITUTIONAL
REVIEW BOARD APPROVAL WHERE APPLICABLE;
(D) TRAINING RELATED TO THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES, SO LONG AS IT IS NOT
PROVIDED IN SUPPORT OF SPECIFIC ONGOING OR ANTICIPATED INTERROGATIONS:
(I) RECOGNIZING AND RESPONDING TO PERSONS WITH PHYSICAL OR MENTAL
ILLNESS OR CONDITIONS,
(II) THE POSSIBLE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFECTS OF PARTICULAR TECHNIQUES
AND CONDITIONS OF INTERROGATION, OR
(III) THE DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE INTERROGATION STRATEGIES NOT
INVOLVING THE PRACTICE OF TORTURE OR IMPROPER TREATMENT.
6. DUTY TO REPORT. A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL WHO HAS REASONABLE
GROUNDS (NOT BASED SOLELY ON PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION) TO BELIEVE
THAT TORTURE, IMPROPER TREATMENT OR OTHER CONDUCT IN VIOLATION OF THIS
SECTION HAS OCCURRED, IS OCCURRING, OR WILL OCCUR SHALL, AS SOON AS IS
POSSIBLE WITHOUT JEOPARDIZING THE PHYSICAL SAFETY OF HIMSELF OR HERSELF,
THE INCARCERATED PERSON, OR OTHER PARTIES, REPORT SUCH CONDUCT TO:
(A) A GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL REASONABLY
BELIEVES HAS LEGAL AUTHORITY TO PUNISH OR PREVENT THE CONTINUATION OF
TORTURE OR THE IMPROPER TREATMENT OF AN INCARCERATED PERSON OR CONDUCT
IN VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION AND IS REASONABLY LIKELY TO ATTEMPT TO DO
SO; OR
(B) A GOVERNMENTAL OR NON-GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY THAT THE HEALTH CARE
PROFESSIONAL REASONABLY BELIEVES WILL NOTIFY SUCH A GOVERNMENT AGENCY OF
THE TORTURE OR THE IMPROPER TREATMENT OF AN INCARCERATED PERSON OR
CONDUCT IN VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION OR TAKE OTHER ACTION TO PUBLICIZE
OR PREVENT SUCH TORTURE, TREATMENT OR CONDUCT; AND
(C) IN ADDITION TO REPORTING UNDER PARAGRAPH (A) OR (B) OF THIS SUBDI-
VISION: (I) IN THE CASE OF AN ALLEGED VIOLATION BY A HEALTH CARE PROFES-
SIONAL LICENSED UNDER ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE, ONE HUNDRED THIR-
TY-ONE-B OR ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE-C OF THE EDUCATION LAW, A REPORT
SHALL BE FILED WITH THE OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL CONDUCT; AND (II)
IN THE CASE OF AN ALLEGED VIOLATION BY ANY OTHER HEALTH CARE PROFES-
SIONAL LICENSED, REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED UNDER TITLE EIGHT OF THE EDUCA-
TION LAW, A REPORT SHALL BE FILED WITH THE OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL DISCI-
PLINE; PROVIDED THAT FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS PARAGRAPH, WHERE A PERSON
HOLDS A LICENSE, REGISTRATION OR CERTIFICATION UNDER THE LAWS OF A
JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK THAT IS FOR A PROFESSION
SUBSTANTIALLY COMPARABLE TO ONE LISTED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION
ONE OF THIS SECTION, THE PERSON SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A HEALTH CARE
PROFESSIONAL AND THE PERSON'S LICENSE, REGISTRATION OR CERTIFICATION
SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE UNDER THE APPROPRIATE ARTICLE OF TITLE EIGHT OF
THE EDUCATION LAW.
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7. MITIGATION. THE FOLLOWING MAY BE CONSIDERED IN FULL OR PARTIAL
MITIGATION OF A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION BY THE HEALTH CARE PROFES-
SIONAL:
(A) COMPLIANCE WITH SUBDIVISION SIX OF THIS SECTION; OR
(B) COOPERATION IN GOOD FAITH WITH AN INVESTIGATION OF A VIOLATION OF
THIS SECTION.
8. APPLICABILITY. THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY TO CONDUCT TAKING PLACE
WITHIN OR OUTSIDE NEW YORK STATE, AND WITHOUT REGARD TO WHETHER THE
CONDUCT IS COMMITTED BY A GOVERNMENTAL OR NON-GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY, OFFI-
CIAL, OR ACTOR OR UNDER ACTUAL OR ASSERTED COLOR OF LAW.
9. SCOPE OF PRACTICE NOT EXPANDED. THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED
TO EXPAND THE LAWFUL SCOPE OF PRACTICE OF ANY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL.
§ 3. Section 6509 of the education law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 15 to read as follows:
(15) ANY VIOLATION OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW
(RELATING TO PARTICIPATION IN TORTURE OR IMPROPER TREATMENT OF INCARCER-
ATED PERSONS BY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS), SUBJECT TO MITIGATION UNDER
THAT SECTION.
§ 4. Section 6530 of the education law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 51 to read as follows:
51. ANY VIOLATION OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW
(RELATING TO PARTICIPATION IN TORTURE OR IMPROPER TREATMENT OF INCARCER-
ATED PERSONS BY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS), SUBJECT TO MITIGATION UNDER
THAT SECTION.
§ 5. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of subdivision 2 of section 740 of the
labor law, as amended by chapter 522 of the laws of 2021, are amended
and a new paragraph (d) is added to read as follows:
(b) provides information to, or testifies before, any public body
conducting an investigation, hearing or inquiry into any such activity,
policy or practice by such employer; [or]
(c) objects to, or refuses to participate in any such activity, policy
or practice[.]; OR
(D) REPORTS OR THREATENS TO REPORT ANY VIOLATION OF SECTION TWENTY-
FIVE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW (RELATING TO PARTICIPATION IN TORTURE OR
IMPROPER TREATMENT OF INCARCERATED PERSONS BY HEALTH CARE PROFES-
SIONALS).
§ 6. Subdivision 3 of section 740 of the labor law, as amended by
chapter 522 of the laws of 2021, is amended to read as follows:
3. Application. The protection against retaliatory action provided by
paragraph (a) of subdivision two of this section pertaining to disclo-
sure to a public body shall not apply to an employee who makes such
disclosure to a public body unless the employee has made a good faith
effort to notify his or her employer by bringing the activity, policy or
practice to the attention of a supervisor of the employer and has
afforded such employer a reasonable opportunity to correct such activ-
ity, policy or practice. Such employer notification shall not be
required where: (a) there is an imminent and serious danger to the
public health or safety; (b) the employee reasonably believes that
reporting to the supervisor would result in a destruction of evidence or
other concealment of the activity, policy or practice; (c) such activ-
ity, policy or practice could reasonably be expected to lead to endan-
gering the welfare of a minor; (d) the employee reasonably believes that
reporting to the supervisor would result in physical harm to the employ-
ee or any other person; or (e) the employee reasonably believes that the
supervisor is already aware of the activity, policy or practice and will
not correct such activity, policy or practice. HOWEVER, THIS SUBDIVI-
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SION SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY REPORT OF A VIOLATION UNDER SECTION TWENTY-
FIVE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW (PARTICIPATION IN TORTURE OR IMPROPER
TREATMENT OF INCARCERATED PERSONS BY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS).
§ 7. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision 2 of section 741 of the
labor law, as amended by chapter 117 of the laws of 2020, are amended
and a new paragraph (c) is added to read as follows:
(a) discloses or threatens to disclose to a supervisor, to a public
body, to a news media outlet, or to a social media forum available to
the public at large, an activity, policy or practice of the employer or
agent that the employee, in good faith, reasonably believes constitutes
improper quality of patient care or improper quality of workplace safe-
ty; [or]
(b) objects to, or refuses to participate in any activity, policy or
practice of the employer or agent that the employee, in good faith,
reasonably believes constitutes improper quality of patient care or
improper quality of workplace safety[.]; OR
(C) REPORTS OR THREATENS TO REPORT ANY VIOLATION OF SECTION TWENTY-
FIVE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW (PARTICIPATION IN TORTURE OR IMPROPER
TREATMENT OF INCARCERATED PERSONS BY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS).
§ 8. Subdivision 3 of section 741 of the labor law, as amended by
chapter 117 of the laws of 2020, is amended to read as follows:
3. Application. The protection against retaliatory personnel action
provided by subdivision two of this section shall not apply unless the
employee has brought the improper quality of patient care or improper
quality of workplace safety to the attention of a supervisor and has
afforded the employer a reasonable opportunity to correct such activity,
policy or practice. This subdivision shall not apply to an action or
failure to act described in paragraph (a) of subdivision two of this
section where the improper quality of patient care or improper quality
of workplace safety described therein presents an imminent threat to
public health or safety or to the health of a specific patient or
specific health care employee and the employee reasonably believes in
good faith that reporting to a supervisor would not result in corrective
action. HOWEVER, THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY REPORT OF A
VIOLATION UNDER SECTION TWENTY-FIVE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW (PARTIC-
IPATION IN TORTURE OR IMPROPER TREATMENT OF INCARCERATED PERSONS BY
HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS).
§ 9. The introduction or enactment of this act shall not be construed
to mean that: (a) conduct described by this act does not already violate
state law or constitute professional misconduct; or (b) conduct other
than that described by this act does not violate other state law or
otherwise constitute professional misconduct.
§ 10. Severability. If any provision of this act, or any application
of any provision of this act, is held to be invalid, that shall not
affect the validity or effectiveness of any other provision of this act
or any other application of any provision of this act.
§ 11. This act shall take effect on the first of January next
succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law; provided,
however, that if chapter 522 of the laws of 2021 shall not have taken
effect on or before such date, then sections five and six of this act
shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as such chap-
ter of the laws of 2021 takes effect.