NY A10242

Requires the Department of Mental Health and Office of Mental Health to make burial records of former patients at state mental health hospital cemeteries publicly available within 30 days after a patient's death

Burial records must include name, sex, dates of birth and death, burial location, military status and service number, next of kin, and previous home address, with no fee charged for searches

Applies to current and former state institutions including Utica State Hospital, Willard Asylum, Buffalo State Asylum, Kings Park Psychiatric Center, Pilgrim Psychiatric Center, and other named facilities

Mandates that cemeteries maintain publicly available maps, post signage with contact information, and retain burial records permanently—including when cemetery property is transferred to another entity

Explicitly separates burial records from clinical records, ensuring they are not subject to confidentiality restrictions that apply to medical and treatment information