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 available to the public within 30 days of a patient's death. It specifies that records must include name, birth/death dates, burial location, military service details, and family relationships, with no fees charged for access. The bill mandates permanent retention of all burial records and cemetery maps, and requires signs with contact information at each cemetery site. It directly affects families seeking to identify or memorialize deceased relatives buried in these historic facilities, such as Willard Asylum or Kings Park Psychiatric Center. The law also clarifies that burial records are separate from clinical medical records.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2026
Last action May 20, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
S8903
→
S8903A
·
5 edits
MODERATE
This bill expands the list of sponsors and updates the legislative status of a bill regarding burial records at former state mental health hospitals. The most significant policy change is the introduction of a 50-year rule: burial records for patients deceased for fifty years or more will be treated as historical records, removing privacy protections and clinical record restrictions. Additionally, the definition of 'state mental health hospital' was updated to use more modern terminology regarding mental illness and developmental disabilities.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include the Office of Mental Health alongside the Department of Mental Health as responsible parties, and the definition of covered institutions was updated to reflect current medical terminology.
REQUIREMENT
Burial records for patients deceased for fifty years or more are now classified as historical records, exempting them from privacy protections and clinical record confidentiality.
DEFINITION
The definition of 'state mental health hospital' was updated to use modern language referring to institutions that care for individuals with mental illness or developmental disabilities.
ELIGIBILITY
Access to burial records is now restricted to 'qualified persons' as defined by a specific section of the law, rather than being available to anyone.
TIMELINE
The effective date of the act was changed from a delayed date (120 days after passage) to immediate effect.
SCOPE
The Office of Mental Health was added as a co-sponsor and responsible entity alongside the Department of Mental Health.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
3
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Amendments
2
May 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 8903A
upper
May 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO MENTAL HEALTH
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH
upper
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Pat Fahy
DDemocratic
Co
Mario Mattera
RRepublican/Conservative
Co
Tony Palumbo
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about S 8903
Scope: NY
Hi! I can help you understand S 8903. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline