New York Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying

Governor Hochul signs bill allowing terminally ill adults to access medically assisted suicide

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed the Medical Aid in Dying Act into law, legalizing medically assisted suicide for terminally ill adults with less than six months to live. The act requires multiple requests, witness approval, and clearance from medical professionals before a terminally ill person can access this option.

Why it matters

This law provides a compassionate end-of-life option for terminally ill New Yorkers who are suffering and wish to have more control over the timing and circumstances of their death. It's a deeply personal issue that Hochul has grappled with after witnessing her own mother's struggle with ALS.

The details

The Medical Aid in Dying Act requires that a terminally ill person must be expected to die within six months, make multiple requests for medically assisted suicide, have the requests witnessed, and receive approval from physicians and mental health professionals before they can access this option.

  • Governor Hochul signed the bill into law on February 7, 2026.

The players

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York who signed the Medical Aid in Dying Act into law.

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What they’re saying

“The decision was deeply personal, having witnessed my mother's suffering from ALS.”

— Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York (Ground News)

“Over 70% of New Yorkers support legalizing medically assisted suicide, according to a YouGov poll.”

— Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York (Ground News)

The takeaway

This new law in New York provides a compassionate end-of-life option for terminally ill residents, giving them more control over the timing and circumstances of their death. It reflects growing public support for medically assisted suicide, though the issue remains deeply personal and ethically complex.