New York Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying with Safeguards

New law adds procedural requirements for terminally ill patients seeking physician-assisted death

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the 'Medical Aid in Dying Act' on Friday, making New York the latest state to authorize physician-assisted dying for certain terminally ill patients. The new law includes several safeguards such as a mandatory waiting period, mental health evaluation, and opt-out provisions for religious hospice providers.

Why it matters

New York's new law represents a major policy shift in a state where the highest court had previously ruled that assisted suicide remained unlawful absent legislative change. The law is seen as a deliberate exercise of state police power to regulate medical aid in dying, rather than a judicially compelled reform.

The details

The 'Medical Aid in Dying Act' permits an 'aid-in-dying' prescription for eligible adult residents who are terminally ill and expected to die within six months. Key safeguards include a mandatory five-day waiting period, a requirement that the patient's oral request be recorded, a mandatory mental health evaluation, and disqualification of anyone who stands to benefit financially from the patient's death from serving as a witness or interpreter.

  • On February 7, 2026, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the 'Medical Aid in Dying Act' into law.
  • In 2017, the New York Court of Appeals rejected a constitutional challenge by terminally ill plaintiffs seeking physician-assisted suicide.

The players

Kathy Hochul

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

Ronald Hicks

The newly installed Archbishop of New York who publicly condemned the legislation in December 2025.

Timothy Dolan

The predecessor of Archbishop Ronald Hicks, who publicly condemned the legislation in December 2025.

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What’s next

Advocacy organizations such as End of Life Choices New York and Compassion & Choices have indicated they will focus on education and implementation of the new law over the next six months.

The takeaway

New York's new 'Medical Aid in Dying Act' represents a significant shift in the state's approach to physician-assisted dying, adding a range of procedural safeguards while still authorizing the practice for certain terminally ill patients. The law is expected to face ongoing criticism from Catholic leadership, but advocates view it as an important step forward in end-of-life care options.