Provides an exception to hospital visitation rules for members of the clergy
S 8339 (Hospital Visitation by Clergy) allows patients in hospitals to request visitation from a clergy member of their religious congregation, subject to four conditions: the patient (or legal representative) consents, the visit fits hospital capacity and unit policies, doesn't interfere with treatment, and poses no health/safety risk. It specifically permits one clergy member to visit alongside the hospital’s maximum visitor limit (for up to one hour), and allows immediate clergy access during life-threatening emergencies or end-of-life situations. The bill does not override hospital safety rules, restrict existing visitation policies in specialized units (like burn units), or require clergy to provide visitation. It directly affects patients seeking spiritual care and hospitals managing visitor policies.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2026
Assembly Passage
Governor
Introduced Jun 3, 2025
Last action Jun 2, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Jun 2, 2026
How they voted
61–0
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 63
Jun 2, 2026
D
Democratic41
95% Yea
R
Republican22
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
8
Key actions
1
Committee
3
Jun 2, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO HEALTH
lower
Jun 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO HEALTH
upper
Jun 3, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO RULES
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Leroy Comrie
DDemocratic
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