Relates to former patients interred at present and former state mental health hospital cemeteries
This bill requires New York State to make burial records for former patients interred at state mental health hospital cemeteries freely available to the public. It mandates that records include name, birth/death dates, burial location, military service details, and family relationships, with no fees charged for access. The law also requires maintaining public cemetery maps, posting informational signs at cemeteries, and permanently preserving all burial records - including those for historical institutions like Utica State Hospital and Willard Asylum. These records are explicitly separated from clinical patient files under the law.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 12, 2026
Last action May 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
A10242
→
A10242A
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends the Mental Hygiene Law to modernize how burial records for former patients of state mental health hospitals are managed and accessed. The primary changes involve restricting public access to these records to only 'qualified persons' rather than anyone, while simultaneously designating records of patients deceased for over 50 years as historical records that are no longer confidential. The bill also reorganizes the definition of 'state mental health hospital' and updates the effective date of the act.
Scope change
The scope of access to burial records was narrowed from the general public to specific 'qualified persons,' while the scope of record confidentiality was reduced for older records.
ELIGIBILITY
Access to burial records is now limited to 'qualified persons' as defined in the law, rather than being available to anyone.
REQUIREMENT
Burial records for patients who have been deceased for fifty years or more are now classified as historical records, removing their confidentiality and clinical record status.
DEFINITION
The definition of 'state mental health hospital' was updated to use more modern language regarding care and treatment of individuals with mental illness or developmental disabilities.
TIMELINE
The effective date of the act was changed from 120 days after enactment to immediate effect.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
2
May 19, 2026
Committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
lower
May 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 10242A
lower
May 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO MENTAL HEALTH
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Phil Ramos
DDemocratic
Co
Andrew Hevesi
DDemocratic
Co
Jo Anne Simon
DDemocratic
Co
Judy Griffin
DDemocratic
Co
Keith Brown
RRepublican/Conservative/Independence
Co
Pamela Hunter
DDemocratic
Co
Paula Kay
DDemocratic
Co
Sam Berger
DDemocratic
Co
Steve Stern
DDemocratic
Co
Tommy John Schiavoni
DDemocratic/Working Families
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