# Religious liberty lawsuits and injunction over NY MAID law > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/religious-liberty-lawsuits-against-ny-health-laws > Updated: 2026-08-02T12:00:00.000Z. Sources: 32. Developments: 3. In June 2026 the U.S. Department of Justice intervened in a lawsuit brought by four Catholic religious orders and a Catholic health network challenging New York’s Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) Act. The complaint, filed on July 17, argues that the law’s “Suicide Counseling Mandate” forces the orders to counsel terminally ill patients about physician‑assisted suicide, refer them to providers, and potentially facilitate the practice, violating the First Amendment’s Free‑Exercise Clause and federal healthcare protections. The plaintiffs seek a preliminary injunction to block enforcement, warning that non‑compliance could trigger fines, license revocation and criminal sanctions. On July 30, U.S. District Judge Anne Nardacci issued a consent order granting temporary relief. The order bars New York from compelling the orders or their health ministries to discuss, refer, or otherwise participate in assisted‑suicide procedures while the case proceeds and sets an August 20 deadline for Attorney General Letitia James to respond. Governor Kathy Hochul defended the legislation as protecting bodily autonomy, while Bishop John Barres and the religious groups hailed the injunction as a major victory for religious liberty. The litigation remains ongoing. ## Claims - The Medical Aid in Dying Act is scheduled to take effect on Aug. 5, 2026. (corroborated by 14 sources) - The lawsuit claims the Medical Aid in Dying Act violates the First Amendment rights of the Catholic providers. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The order sets an Aug. 20 deadline for New York Attorney General Letitia James to respond to the emergency motion. (corroborated by 10 sources) - U.S. District Judge Anne Nardacci issued a temporary restraining order on July 30, 2026. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The restraining order bars New York from enforcing the Medical Aid in Dying Act against four Catholic religious orders and the Diocese of Rockville Centre. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The four Catholic orders are the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, the Missionary Sisters of St. Benedict, and the Little Sisters of the Poor. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The lawsuit was filed by the religious orders and is represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Bishop John Barres said the order is an important step toward protecting religious freedom. (corroborated by 10 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-02: New York Court Grants Temporary Relief to Catholic Nuns Over Assisted Suicide Law A federal judge temporarily blocked New York's assisted‑suicide law from forcing Catholic nuns and health providers to participate, citing religious‑freedom concerns. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-court-grants-temporary-relief-to-catholic-nuns-over-assisted-suicide-law ### 2026-07-29: New York Catholic Sisters Shielded from Assisted‑Suicide Law A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order shielding four Catholic orders and a diocese from New York’s assisted‑suicide law, delaying enforcement of the act set for Aug 5 2026. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-grants-temporary-injunction-protecting-catholic-nuns-from-assisted-suicide-law ### 2026-07-20: New York sued by Catholic nuns over assisted‑suicide law Catholic sisters sued New York, saying the new assisted‑suicide law forces them to counsel patients on suicide, violating their faith; they seek an injunction before the Aug 5 enforcement. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-law-forces-religious-providers-to-assist-in-assisted-suicide --- Cite as: Religious liberty lawsuits and injunction over NY MAID law. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/religious-liberty-lawsuits-against-ny-health-laws