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S 8082

Relates to authorizing the release of certain records of deceased residents of mental health facilities to family members upon written request

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Samra Brouk

Authorizes release, on a written request from a family member, of certain records of deceased mental health facility residents to their relatives.

REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH
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Bill Summary · S 8082

Summary: S 8082 — Relates to authorizing the release of certain records of deceased residents of mental health facilities to family members upon written request

Overview

S 8082 is a bill introduced in the New York Senate on May 15, 2025, sponsored by Senator Samra Brouk (primary). The bill’s purpose, as indicated by its title, is to authorize the release of certain records of deceased residents of mental health facilities to family members upon written request. The bill has progressed in the Senate and has been referred to the Mental Health committee, with subsequent actions moving it toward consideration by the Assembly.

Purpose and Intent

  • The core objective is to enable family members to obtain certain records of deceased residents who were staying in mental health facilities.
  • The mechanism for access is through a written request by the family member (or another authorized requester, as defined in the bill).
  • The title suggests a balance between facilitating access to information important to families and maintaining appropriate confidentiality for records that may be governed by privacy laws and professional standards.

Key Provisions (as indicated by the bill’s title and status)

  • Authorization for release: The bill would authorize the release of “certain records” of deceased residents of mental health facilities. The exact scope of “records” and which records are eligible for release would be defined within the text of the bill.
  • Qualified requester: Access would be granted upon a written request from a family member (the bill would specify who qualifies as a family member and who may submit the request).
  • Privacy and safeguards: Although not detailed in the summary, the bill would ordinarily include confidentiality protections and limitations consistent with existing laws governing patient records and privacy. The text would specify any required verifications, redactions, or conditions to protect sensitive information.
  • Timing and process: The bill would establish procedural steps for processing requests, including any deadlines, verification requirements, and timelines for fulfillment.

Who is Affected

  • Deceased residents of mental health facilities and their families.
  • Mental health facilities or custodians of records, including the entities responsible for maintaining patient records.
  • Potentially other stakeholders governed by privacy and confidentiality laws who interact with such records.

Procedural Timeline and Status

  • Introduced: May 15, 2025
  • Status: REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH (initial committee referral)
  • 2025-05-15: Referred to Mental Health (first action)
  • 2025-06-09: Committee actions and progress, including:
    • Committee discharge and commitment to Rules
    • Senate passage (the bill passed the Senate)
    • Delivered to the Assembly
    • Referred to Mental Health in the Assembly
    • Ordered to Third Reading CAL.1716 (procedural step toward floor consideration)
  • Sponsor: Samra Brouk (primary)

Next Steps and Considerations

  • If the Assembly passes the bill, it would typically proceed to the Governor for signature or veto. The Governor’s action would determine whether the bill becomes law.
  • Stakeholders may review the bill’s language to understand the exact definitions of “records,” “family members,” and any privacy safeguards or redaction requirements.
  • Practical impact will depend on the final text, including how broadly or narrowly the records eligible for release are defined and what protections remain in place.

This summary provides the essential information based on the available bill title, sponsor, and staged actions. For a complete understanding, the full bill text and any fiscal or regulatory impact analyses would be needed.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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