ADVOCACY
On Friday February 6, 2026, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Medical Aid in Dying Act, making New York the 14th jurisdiction (13 states plus Washington D.C.) where MAID is legal.
This approval followed the actions of the Assembly and the Senate passing the underlying bill in May and June, 2025. The Governor desired a number of changes to the bill that, in her view, would provide additional safeguards. The possibility of making these changes was negotiated with legislative leaders during the Fall, and the Assembly and the Senate voted to approve the changes on February 4, 2026.
Thank you everyone!
Resources for Advocates
Useful resources for advocating enactment of the Medical Aid in Dying Act in New York are gathered on a separate webpage:
New York Alliance for Medical Aid in Dying
The New York Alliance for Medical Aid in Dying urges lawmakers to pass the Medical Aid in Dying Act. It is time for legislators to prioritize terminally ill patients and their families who have waited too long for help to end their suffering. Passing Medical Aid in Dying is an essential step in protecting patient rights, bodily autonomy, and end-of-life options for all New Yorkers.
The alliance draws upon the individual efforts and supporters of Compassion & Choices, Death with Dignity, The Completed Life Initiative, End of Life Choices New York and Death with Dignity–Albany, working together in harmony to authorize medical aid in dying in New York State.