What changed
2026-08-02 17:05 UTC → 2026-08-05 19:06 UTC ·
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The DOJ joined a In June 2026 suit by the Dominican Sisters 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, which took effect on August 5 2026. Act. The law permits competent adults with a terminal illness and a six‑month prognosis to obtain life‑ending medication, but requires providers complaint, filed on July 17, argues that the law’s “Suicide Counseling Mandate” forces the orders to counsel terminally ill patients about all options, raising First‑Amendment free‑exercise concerns. Four Catholic women’s religious orders—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—along with the Diocese of Rockville Center, sued physician‑assisted suicide, refer them to block providers, and potentially facilitate the counseling mandate, arguing it violates practice, violating the First Amendment’s Free‑Exercise Clause and Fourteenth Amendments. Represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, the federal healthcare protections. The plaintiffs secured seek a temporary restraining order from 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 M. Nardacci on July 30 2026 (reported July 31). issued a consent order granting temporary relief. The TRO order bars New York from enforcing the MAID Act against compelling the orders and the diocese, preventing any requirement or their health ministries to provide information, referrals, discuss, refer, or participation otherwise participate in assisted‑suicide procedures while the case proceeds. The state agreed to the order, delaying enforcement proceeds and setting sets an August 20 deadline for Attorney General Letitia James to file a response. respond. Governor Kathy Hochul defended the legislation as protecting bodily autonomy, while Bishop John Barres hailed the decision as a significant protection of religious freedom. A consent order issued on July 30 extended the temporary relief to a Catholic health network affiliated with the plaintiffs, formally prohibiting the state from compelling and the religious orders or the health providers to discuss or facilitate assisted‑suicide. The groups described hailed the order injunction as a major victory for religious liberty, while Governor Kathy Hochul defended the legislation as protecting bodily autonomy. liberty. The litigation continues as the parties await further court rulings. remains ongoing.