A revised proposal to expand New York's wrongful death statute is poised to gain full passage again in the state Legislature amid ongoing opposition from business organizations and local governments.
The measure would expand who can bring wrongful death claims and cover emotional anguish. The bill was approved Thursday in the state Assembly and Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal in an interview said he expects the measure will be taken up in his chamber by June 8, when lawmakers conclude the legislative session.
"It is past time we make reforms and make certain New Yorkers who face this dilemma of having to go to court to seek redress receive the consideration they are due," he said.
Legislative supporters have made changes following Hochul's veto last year, including a shorter statute of limitations and a revised definition of who is eligible to bring wrongful death claims.
"There's no question there are still many who oppose this bill," Hoylman-Sigal said. "But I'll tell you this: 48 other states have a version of our Grieving Families Act."
The proposal came into a brighter spotlight after the racially motivated mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, with victim family members filing wrongful death suits.
Still, a range of organizations, from medical groups to lawsuit reform advocates have continued to oppose the bill, arguing it places too much of a burden on entities who could face a raft of lawsuits and higher insurance premiums as a result.
New York Conference of Mayors Executive Director Peter Baynes wrote in a Buffalo News op/ed Thursday that measure still presents local governments with too many problems.
"Like the previous bill, the new bill once again imposes devastating financial burdens on state and local municipalities, which will be passed on to taxpayers," he wrote, adding the Legislature needs to perform a more thorough analysis of the fiscal impacts.
"The financial implications of this legislation will affect critical public and medical services and locally-owned businesses," Baynes added.