NY S00134

Requires health care facilities to obtain express written consent on a separate document before broadcasting recognizable images or speech of patients undergoing medical treatment.

Permits broadcasting without consent only for advancing health care treatment, quality assurance programs, educating or training health care personnel, or necessary security purposes; patients must be informed and have the right to refuse educational broadcasting.

Defines "health care facility" to include residential health care facilities, general hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, diagnostic and treatment centers, clinics, and ambulances with closed doors operated by ambulance services.

Exempts news media content produced by news departments and broadcast as part of newscasts, investigative news programs, or news reports from the consent requirement.

Creates a private right of action allowing patients or their estate representatives to recover damages for violations, with courts authorized to award reasonable attorney's fees to prevailing plaintiffs; effective immediately upon enactment.