A 10242 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

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
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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

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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