New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S08339

Introduced
6/3/25  
Refer
6/3/25  

Caption

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

Impact

The introduction of S08339 can significantly alter hospital visitation policies, ensuring that spiritual leaders can provide comfort to patients during critical times. By implementing this amendment, the law recognizes the importance of religious and spiritual support in healthcare settings. It could encourage hospitals to revise their visitation guidelines to accommodate this new legal standard while maintaining safe environments for others in the facility.

Summary

Bill S08339 proposes an amendment to New York's public health law to allow patients in hospitals the right to receive visits from clergy members without restrictions imposed by current hospital visitation policies. The bill stipulates that a patient, or their legal representative, may request a clergy visit as long as it does not interfere with hospital operations or pose any health risks. This provision aims to enhance the emotional and spiritual support available to patients during their hospital stays, particularly for those facing serious health challenges.

Conclusion

Overall, S08339 aims to ensure that patients can receive spiritual support while navigating the challenges of illness and hospitalization. However, it is crucial for discussions around the bill to address the nuanced relationship between patient rights and hospital safety practices to create a balanced approach that serves the needs of all parties involved.

Contention

Despite its supportive intentions, the bill raises potential concerns among healthcare administrators regarding how to balance these new visitation rights with existing hospital protocols. Critics might argue that while providing clergy visits during emergencies or end-of-life situations is important, the bill’s language could lead to conflicts with hospital policy aimed at protecting patient health and safety. Moreover, there could be apprehension about how hospitals will manage the influx of visitors and the logistics involved in restricting other visitors when clergy are present.

Companion Bills

NY A07200

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

Previously Filed As

NY A07200

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

NY S08039

Prohibits hospitals, health systems, and health care providers from charging facility fees that are not covered by the patient's health insurance carrier.

NY S10164

Requires hospitals maintain a directory of patient information with opt in provisions.

NY S08680

Provides that no facility fee shall be charged for services when a hospital-based facility is a distant site for health care services delivered by telehealth unless the service is provided by a health care provider not authorized to bill a professional fee separately for the service.

NY A09182

Provides that no facility fee shall be charged for services when a hospital-based facility is a distant site for health care services delivered by telehealth unless the service is provided by a health care provider not authorized to bill a professional fee separately for the service.

NY AB1215

Hospitals: medical staff membership.

NY A11139

Requires hospitals to obtain verbal and written informed consent from a patient or representative before including such patient's information in a general hospital facility directory.

NY S09897

Requires general hospitals and nursing homes to offer free notarial services to patients; requires an employee of such general hospital or nursing home who is a notary public to be present from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on business days.

NY A10203

Relates to providing information to patients and the public on hospital rule-based exclusions; requires the commissioner of health to collect from each hospital a list of its hospital rule-based exclusions and publish such information on the department's website.

NY S08965

Relates to providing information to patients and the public on hospital rule-based exclusions; requires the commissioner of health to collect from each hospital a list of its hospital rule-based exclusions and publish such information on the department's website.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.