S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
198
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
(PREFILED)
January 6, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. CAHILL, SEAWRIGHT, ZEBROWSKI, BARRON, GLICK,
BICHOTTE -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK, DICKENS -- read once
and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT in relation to requiring the commissioner of health to conduct a
study relating to medical aid in dying
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. (a) The commissioner of health is hereby authorized and
directed to study the issues, implications, practices, licensure
requirements and other topics related to medical aid in dying.
(b) The study shall include, but not be limited to, the following
topics related to medical aid in dying: statutes currently in effect
across the United States and elsewhere; program implementation; written
and oral request processes; rescission of a patient's request; existing
clinical criteria used by physicians to determine whether a patient is
eligible; the specific type of physicians or medical professionals who
are legally authorized to respond to a patient's inquiries or request
for the end-of-life medication or assistance; the physicians' responsi-
bilities and duties; the consulting physician's responsibilities and
duties; the referral process to mental health professionals; the type of
medical record documentation requirements; how physicians respond to a
patient's inquiry; how physicians assess patients' decision making capa-
bilities; the use of an interpreter in circumstances where one is
requested, required or appropriate; procedures administered including
the types and doses of prescription medications provided if any; infor-
mation statistical and other regarding people who have used medical aid
in dying; an appraisal of reported abuse, if any, of medical aid in
dying; regular reporting requirements; issues involving health or life
insurance coverage; an examination of current hospice services across
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01211-01-1
A. 198 2
New York state; and any other topic or issue required to conduct this
study.
(c) The commissioner of health shall submit a report including recom-
mendations and findings based on this study to the governor, the tempo-
rary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly and the chairs
of the senate and assembly standing committees on health no later than
December 31, 2022.
ยง 2. This act shall take effect immediately.