New York S 8339: Provides an exception to hospital visitation rules for members of the clergy

Bill Text

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S08339 Summary:

BILL NOS08339 

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SAME ASSAME AS A07200

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SPONSORCOMRIE

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSR

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Add §2805-qq, Pub Health L

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Provides an exception to hospital visitation rules for members of the clergy.

Go to top S08339 Actions:

BILL NOS08339 

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06/03/2025REFERRED TO RULES

01/07/2026REFERRED TO HEALTH

05/12/20261ST REPORT CAL.1098

05/13/20262ND REPORT CAL.

05/14/2026ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 

06/02/2026PASSED SENATE

06/02/2026DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

06/02/2026referred to health

Go to topS08339 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS08339 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS08339 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 8339

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN SENATE

 June 3, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
 printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules

 AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to providing an
 exception to hospital visitation rules for members of the clergy

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section
 2 2805-qq to read as follows:
 3 § 2805-qq. Hospital visitation by clergy. 1. No patient shall be
 4 denied visitation by a clergy member from such patient's religious enti-
 5 ty's established congregation, provided:
 6 (a) the patient, or the patient's legal representative if the patient
 7 is unable to express such patient's wishes, requests or consents to such
 8 visitation;
 9 (b) such visitation is consistent with the hospital's ability to
 10 receive visitors at the time of the visitation and on the unit in which
 11 the patient is hospitalized;
 12 (c) such visitation does not interfere with the treatment of the
 13 patient or of other patients; and
 14 (d) such visitation does not pose a health or safety risk to the
 15 patient or other individuals present at the hospital, including hospital
 16 personnel and other patients.
 17 2. If the hospital's policy restricts the number of visitors a
 18 patient may have at one time, the presence of a single clergy member at
 19 the patient's bedside along with the maximum specified number of other
 20 visitors shall not be deemed a violation of such policy, provided the
 21 visit does not exceed one hour.
 22 3. In the event the patient suffers a life-threatening emergency or
 23 is at the end of the patient's life, a clergy member from such patient's
 24 religious entity's established congregation may visit the patient at any

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD08343-01-5

 S. 8339 2

 1 hour, provided such visitation complied with the provisions of subdivi-
 2 sion one of this section except as to normal hours of visitation.
 3 4. Nothing in this section shall be construed to:
 4 (a) prevent a hospital from restricting visitation by any person when
 5 such visitation would pose a health or safety risk to the patient or
 6 other individuals present at the hospital, including hospital personnel
 7 and other patients;
 8 (b) prevent a hospital from restricting visitation by any person in
 9 hospital areas in which no visitation or restricted visitation is
 10 allowed, including, but not limited to transmissible disease units and
 11 burn units;
 12 (c) prevent a hospital from requiring the clergy member to provide
 13 identification and take any other measures the hospital requires for
 14 visitation; or
 15 (d) require any member of the clergy to provide visitation as
 16 described in this section.
 17 § 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
 18 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
 19 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
 20 this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
 21 on or before such effective date.

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