New YorkA 3872025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Requires general hospitals to provide language assistance services

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Free interpreters and key forms translated

The law requires every general hospital to provide free language help. Hospitals must have skilled interpreters and make them available in a reasonable time after you ask. They must also have staff who can help people with vision or hearing loss. At your first visit, staff record your preferred language and other needs. Your record must show your choice and whether you accept or refuse language help. Each year, hospitals check local languages; if a language is over 1% of the area, they translate key forms and instructions.

Family interpreter limits and disability help

Family or friends do not serve as interpreters unless you agree. The hospital must first offer a free interpreter and you refuse, and staff must consider privacy and conflicts. Interpreters should be age 16 or older. Under 16 is only allowed in an emergency and must be noted in your record. If you have a mental or developmental disability, the hospital must reasonably let a family member or representative be present to help you communicate.

Hospitals must train staff and post signs

Hospitals must name a coordinator to run the language help program. They must train staff on culture, language, and how to get an interpreter. Hospitals must post signs in entry and public areas that say free help is available. They must also give materials that explain how to ask for free language help.

Extra time for some rural hospitals

The health commissioner can give rural hospitals more time to meet interpreter availability rules. Hospitals must show they tried, cannot comply for reasons beyond their control, and have an interim plan to meet communication needs. This may mean slower full access to interpreters in some rural areas for a time.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Nily Rozic
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Al Taylor
Democratic • House
Amy Paulin
Democratic • House
Andrew Hevesi
Democratic • House
Catalina Cruz
Democratic • House
Chris Burdick
Democratic • House
David McDonough
Republican • House
David Weprin
Democratic • House
Edward Braunstein
Democratic • House
Grace Lee
Democratic • House
Harvey Epstein
Democratic • House
Jo Anne Simon
Democratic • House
Joe DeStefano
Republican • House
Maritza Davila
Democratic • House
MaryJane Shimsky
Democratic • House
Nader Sayegh
Democratic • House
Noah Burroughs
Democratic • House
Rebecca Seawright
Democratic • House
Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
Democratic • House
Ron Kim
Democratic • House
Tommy Schiavoni
Democratic • House
William Colton
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 57 • No: 1

House vote • 6/10/2025

FLOOR Vote