NY A07200

Prohibits hospitals from denying patients visitation by clergy members from their established congregation when the patient or legal representative consents and the visit doesn't interfere with treatment or pose health/safety risks

Allows one clergy member to visit at a patient's bedside in addition to the maximum number of visitors permitted under hospital policy, provided the visit does not exceed one hour

Permits clergy visitation at any hour when a patient faces a life-threatening emergency or is at end of life, as long as other safety conditions are met

Preserves hospitals' authority to restrict visitation in areas like transmissible disease units and burn units, require clergy identification, and deny access when health or safety risks exist

Takes effect 30 days after becoming law, with immediate authorization for agencies to develop necessary implementing regulations