S 6223 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to permitting an interpreter to remain with a deaf, hard of hearing or nonverbal patient during admission to a hospital

Summary

Requires hospitals to permit an interpreter to remain with a deaf, hard of hearing or nonverbal patient during admission to a hospital until appropriate hospital staff is assigned to interpret.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 6, 2025 Last action May 21, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S6223 → S6223A · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill amends New York's public health law to require hospitals to use 'qualified interpreters' instead of 'certified interpreters' when assisting deaf, hard of hearing, or nonverbal patients. The change broadens the pool of eligible interpreters beyond those with formal certification, potentially improving access to communication services during hospital admissions.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains the same (hospital admission procedures for deaf/hard of hearing/nonverbal individuals), but the definition of acceptable interpreter qualifications is expanded.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement from 'hospital-provided certified interpreter' to 'hospital-provided qualified interpreter', allowing a broader range of interpreters to assist patients.

TIMELINE

Added procedural language indicating the bill was amended, committee discharged, and reprinted as amended before being recommitted to the Health Committee.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill number designation from '6223' to '6223--A' and changed the explanation page reference from 'LBD05040-01-5' to 'LBD05040-03-5'.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 6223A

upper

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HEALTH

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO HEALTH

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor