Bills to monitor during the final week of the legislative session
As the finish line of the legislative session approaches, lawmakers in New York State are working tirelessly to complete their work for the year. Among the top bills being closely watched are the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act and the Medical Aid in Dying Act.
The Medical Aid in Dying Act, after years of advocacy, has passed in both chambers of the New York State Legislature. The bill, which allows terminally ill patients to self-administer physician-prescribed lethal medication, is now awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul's signature to become law. If signed, New York will become the 12th state in the U.S. to legalize medical aid in dying.
The bill has been controversial due to ethical and religious concerns, with some Democrats voting against it in the Assembly and strong opposition from the Catholic Church. Despite this, advocates are optimistic that it will make it through the Assembly for the first time before lawmakers go home for the year.
Meanwhile, big businesses, including fossil fuel companies, that stand to lose money under the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act's provisions have spent big on lobbying. The bill, pushed by environmental advocates, aims to reduce plastic packaging in the state by 30% over the next 12 years. However, opposition to the bill has been stronger than ever before from the Business Council of New York State, the plastics industry, and the Teamsters.
In addition to these key bills, prison and parole reforms are also being considered by lawmakers. The Robert Brooks Blueprint for Justice and Reform, unveiled by the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, includes nearly two dozen bills focused on transparency and accountability in state prisons. The blueprint aims to expand access to parole for incarcerated individuals through the Fair and Timely Parole, Elder Parole and Earned Time Acts.
The plan includes measures to require more corrections officers to wear body cameras, create a Correctional Ombudsman Office, and permit the corrections commissioner to discipline corrections officers directly in serious cases. One of the bills in the blueprint aims to expand the authority of the Correctional Association of New York, the independent body with oversight over prisons.
Lawmakers are racing to get as many of their priorities done before the end of the session, as time is running out for a number of high-profile and consequential measures to get approved. The state Senate is set to finish its session on Thursday, with the Assembly tacking on a few extra days to complete its work on Tuesday of next week.
As the session nears its conclusion, Governor Kathy Hochul has not explicitly stated her position on the Medical Aid in Dying Act or assisted suicide more generally. Bill sponsor state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal has spoken informally with the governor about the bill and expressed optimism about her signing it. However, the governor's decision is still being actively weighed as of late July 2025.
Sources: [1] New York State Senate passes Medical Aid in Dying Act [2] New York Assembly passes Medical Aid in Dying Act [3] New York State Legislature passes Medical Aid in Dying Act [5] Governor Kathy Hochul weighs decision on Medical Aid in Dying Act
The Robert Brooks Blueprint for Justice and Reform is among the prison and parole reforms being considered by lawmakers, focusing on transparency and accountability in state prisons. The proposed reforms include the Fair and Timely Parole, Elder Parole and Earned Time Acts to expand access to parole for incarcerated individuals.
Opposition to the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act has been strong, particularly from big businesses, including fossil fuel companies, due to its provisions on reducing plastic packaging and increasing recycling infrastructure in the state. The bill's passage remains to be seen amidst intense lobbying efforts.
