Current status: Governor Kathy Hochul signs the Medical Aid in Dying Act into law, making New York the 14th U.S. jurisdiction to legalize Death with Dignity.

This historic victory comes after a decade of advocacy, driven by Death with Dignity and our partners—countless lawmakers, medical professionals, volunteers, advocates, and terminally ill New Yorkers and their families across the state. We made history in New York because of our collective efforts and united belief in end-of-life freedom.

The proposed chapter amendments by Governor Hochul, A9515/S8835, passed the Assembly and Senate.

What happens next? The law will go into effect on August 5, 2026.

Current Status: On December 17, Governor Hochul holds a press conference to announce she will sign the Medical Aid in Dying Act (A136/S138) in January.

What’s Happening Next? Governor Hochul has agreed to sign the Medical Aid in Dying Act into law, contingent on a set of amendments to the bill.

Proposed amendments:

• • Requires a recording of the patient’s oral request to be stored permanently in their medical record

• • Requires a psychological evaluation by a psychiatrist, neurologist or licensed psychologist as a condition of qualification

• • Must be a resident of New York

• • Law goes into effect six months after the bill has been signed

For the ninth year, the New York Medical Aid in Dying Act failed to pass through the legislature despite monumental progress for the bill. This came at the heels of unprecedented support from Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and an endorsement from The New York State Council of Churches.

In January, the Medical Aid in Dying Act (A995/S2445) is re-referred to their respective health committees. Amendments are made to A995 and S2445 by their respective Health Committees. These amendments reinforce that health insurance companies cannot deny coverage based on a patient’s decision to participate or not participate in MAID. The amendment also broadens the criteria for who cannot serve as a witness and extends legal immunity to healthcare providers who opt out of participating in the Death with Dignity process.

New polling commissioned by Death with Dignity finds that 72% of New Yorkers support medical aid in dying! Learn more here.

On January 12, the Medical Aid in Dying Act (A995/SB2445) is reintroduced by Assembly Committee on Health Chair, Amy Paulin, and referred to the Committee on Health. The session ends on June 21, and the bills cross over to the next legislative session in 2024.

More letters to lawmakers are sent in support of the bills than ever before. Supporters and advocates send over 3600 letters to lawmakers. The Medical Aid in Dying Act (A4321/SB6471) fails to pass.

The New York Medical Aid in Dying Act (A4321) is reintroduced in the New York State Assembly on February 1.

The COVID-19 pandemic closes the legislature, and the Medical Aid in Dying Act does not move forward.

The Medical Aid In Dying Act is reintroduced in the legislature. Polling shows 67 percent support the legislation.

A Quinnipiac University poll shows 63 percent of New York residents support medical aid in dying.

The Medical Aid in Dying Act is introduced in the legislature, passes the Health Committee, and never comes up for a vote.