Medical aid in dying is now authorized in New York. Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Medical Aid in Dying Act on February 6, 2026. The law will take effect on August 5, 2026, expanding end-of-life options for terminally ill New Yorkers and affirming their right to make informed, compassionate decisions at the end of life.
This landmark achievement is the result of more than a decade of advocacy led by Compassion & Choices, alongside allied organizations and hundreds of New Yorkers who shared their stories, raised their voices, and urged lawmakers to act. Together, they helped build the understanding and momentum necessary to pass this long-awaited legislation.
Compassion & Choices extends deep gratitude to Governor Hochul for signing the bill into law, and to the legislative champions who made this moment possible: Assemblymember Amy Paulin, who carried the bill from its original introduction in 2015 through enactment; Senator Diane Savino, who advanced the legislation during key years; Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who shepherded it through passage in both chambers; and Senator Gustavo Rivera, who sponsored the bill at the finish line.
Additional information about implementation, guidance, and access will be posted as it becomes available. Please check back on this page for updates, and visit our events page for information about upcoming educational and community events.
Send a note of gratitude of your own to your elected officials, Assemblymember Paulin, Senator Hoylman-Sigal, and Governor Kathy Hochul.
Yesterday, dozens of volunteers turned out to the New York State Capitol to tell legislators why they support authorizing medical aid in dying. We held a press conference to announce an important breakthrough- sponsoring legislators combined the two medical aid-in-dying bills into a single bill, the Medical Aid in Dying Act. A combined bill will allow…
Walter Dannhauser didn’t endure a tragic family ordeal to motivate his activism. “I just feel that there’s absolutely no reason to force people to go through this agony if they’re going to die anyway,” the East Amherst, New York, resident explains. “Why not make it easier for them and their loved ones?” A retired chemistry…
Compassion & Choices is commemorating this week’s 24th anniversary of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act on Saturday, July 26, by releasing a video today saluting our volunteers living with disabilities. The video is available for viewing here and on Compassion & Choices’ YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/ADACelebration. “Compassion & Choices shares the goal of Americans with…
Word came Sunday night from Compassion & Choices New York that Governor Paterson had signed our bill, the Palliative Care Information Act, (PCIA) and it would take effect in 180 days. Hooray!! We hope and trust this event marks the beginning of the end for endemic medical habits that cause so much suffering at the end of…
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