NY Gov. Hochul Will Sign ‘Right To Die’ Bill

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced she will sign into law a ‘right to die’ bill that will allow New York residents who are terminally ill to end their lives via medically-assisted means.

According to the governor, the legislation includes “a mandatory five-day waiting period to provide the patient the chance to change their mind, and both a written and recorded oral request to confirm free will is present, with anyone who may benefit financially disqualified from being a witness or interpreter.”

I’ve met with families, doctors, and advocates. I’ve reflected on my own loss. And I believe New Yorkers deserve the option to face the end of life with dignity and comfort, with strong safeguards in place.

I hope you’ll take a moment to read why: https://t.co/mQejTKtdTw

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) December 17, 2025

More from the New York Times:

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that she would sign a bill that will allow terminally ill New Yorkers to end their lives, speaking in unusually personal terms as she settled an emotional, decade-long battle between religious leaders and right-to-die advocates.

The law will apply to adults who have incurable, irreversible illnesses and six months or less to live. Each patient will need the sign-off of three doctors.

Twelve states, the District of Columbia and several countries in Europe have passed similar laws over the objections of some disability-rights advocates and religious organizations, most notably the Catholic Church, which characterizes the bill as legalizing assisted suicide.

Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois, a Democrat, signed a similar bill last week to legalize the procedure there.

Personally, I support this legislation completely. For people who are terminally ill to be able to die comfortably and with dignity is a no-brainer for me.

Breaking News: Gov. Kathy Hochul said she would sign a bill that will allow terminally ill New Yorkers to end their lives. Eleven states and several countries in Europe have passed similar laws. https://t.co/AHgkUxrcXP

— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 17, 2025