N.Y. Public Health Law 2803-c requires healthcare facilities to publicly adopt and to comply with a statement of patient rights. Senator Kemp Hannon has introduced a bill that would amend the statement of patient rights. The capitalized words are new.“Every patient’s civil and religious liberties, including the right to independent personal decisions and knowledge of available choices, shall not be infringed and the facility shall [encourage] FACILITATE and assist in the fullest possible exercise of these rights. EVERY PATIENT’S RELIGIOUS BELIEFS SHALL BE RESPECTED WITH REGARD TO WITHHOLDING OR WITHDRAWING LIFE SUSTAINING TREATMENTS, OR DISCHARGE FROM A FACILITY. IF SUCH PATIENT IS INCAPACITATED, SUCH DETERMINATION SHALL BE MADE BY THEIR AGENT OR SURROGATE AS APPLICABLE BY LAW.”
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