S 8339 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

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

610
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 63
Jun 2, 2026
D Democratic41
39 Yea 2
95% Yea
R Republican22
22 Yea
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
Photo of Leroy Comrie
Leroy Comrie
DDemocratic
NY
14