New York Medical Aid in Dying Law Effective August 5, 2026

A New York law allowing terminally ill adults to request life-ending medication took effect on August 5, 2026, making the state the 14th U.S. jurisdiction to legalize the practice. The Medical Aid in Dying Act permits state residents with a prognosis of six months or less to live to obtain a prescription for medication they can self-administer.

Governor Kathy Hochul signed the legislation in February after years of political debate and negotiations that added what are considered among the strictest eligibility requirements in the nation. To qualify, a patient must be at least 18 years old, a New York resident, and diagnosed with an incurable, irreversible illness expected to cause death within six months. The individual must be capable of making medical decisions and physically able to self-administer the drugs.

The law mandates a multi-step process. A patient must make both oral and written requests, with the oral request recorded for the medical record. Two physicians must independently confirm the diagnosis and prognosis and determine the patient is making an informed, voluntary decision. New York is the first state to require a mandatory mental health evaluation by a...