New York Senate Passes Medical Aid in Dying Act

NEW YORK SENATE PASSES MEDICAL AID IN DYING ACT, SENDS HISTORIC LEGISLATION TO GOVERNOR HOCHUL

Portland, Oregon, June 9, 2025 – In a landmark vote today, the New York State Senate passed the Medical Aid in Dying Act (S138) by a vote of 35–27, marking a historic milestone in the fight for end-of-life autonomy. The bill now advances to Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk for final approval. 

If signed into law, the Medical Aid in Dying Act will allow terminally ill, mentally capable adults with a prognosis of six months or less to live to request and receive a prescription to die peacefully on their own terms. 

“Since 1997, this law has provided comfort and compassion to people in the final stages of life, allowing them to end their pain and suffering,” said Dr. Peg Sandeen, CEO of Death with Dignity. “While the path to this bill has been long, winding, and often full of roadblocks, we nevertheless persisted. Never once did we lose faith in the people of New York to advocate for this legislation. Never once did we lose faith in our ability to get this bill to the governor’s desk.”

Dr. Sandeen opened the first legislative hearing on New York’s medical aid in dying bill in 2018. Since then, support has steadily grown. Public polling consistently shows that 72% of New Yorkers favor the legislation. Leading organizations, including the New York State Bar Association and the Medical Society of the State of New York, have endorsed the bill. 

“From grassroots supporters to legislative champions of Death with Dignity, the push to pass this bill has been extraordinary,” added Dr. Sandeen. “New Yorkers showed up—at hearings, sending emails to legislators, at town halls—and made their voices heard. That energy is what made all the difference this session, pushing the bill over the finish line.” 

Legislative champions—including Chief Sponsors Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Amy Paulin—along with dozens of co-sponsors, worked tirelessly to ensure New York Senate and Assembly leadership knew the votes were in place to pass the bill this session.

If Governor Hochul signs the bill, New York will become the second state in 2025—alongside Delaware—to legalize medical aid in dying, joining ten other states and Washington, D.C.

For media inquiries, please contact Elia Lawatsch: [email protected].