Urge Governor Hochul to sign Assembly Bill A3733A into law
The Issue
(Pictured: Sinking numerical markers at Pilgrim State Hospital. Photo courtesy of Tom Crist)
My great-uncle, Charles Anderson, was a patient at Pilgrim State Hospital from 1947 until his death in 1974. For decades, my family has lived without knowing the details of his final years, his treatment, or even the exact circumstances surrounding his death. What adds to this heartache is that, like thousands of other deceased psychiatric patients throughout New York State, Charles is laid to rest in on the hospital grounds with only a numbered stone marking his grave, his existence nearly erased.
In New York, certain patient records, like those of my great-uncle, remain sealed indefinitely, preventing families like mine from getting answers. New York State Assembly Bill A3733A aims to change that. By allowing access to these records, families would be granted the opportunity to learn about their loved ones' pasts, honoring them with the dignity they deserve.
The implementation of Bill A3733A is not just about opening archives; it's about healing for thousands of families. These documents are a vital link to understanding mental health diagnoses, treatments, and hospital conditions from an era when much was obscured from public view. They also allow for families to locate the plot information of their loved ones in these hospital cemeteries, so that they will no longer be forgotten and can be properly memorialized. By unsealing these records, we take a step towards transparency and acknowledgment of our collective history.
Signing this petition is more than an act of compassion; it is a call for justice. By urging Governor Kathy Hochul to sign Assembly Bill A3733A into law, we advocate for every family member seeking closure and every departed soul waiting for their story to be told.
Please, join me in this significant cause that not only affects my family but also impacts countless others longing for reconciliation with their past. Your signature is a step towards righting historical wrongs and ensuring that families can grieve with knowledge and peace.
Sign the petition today and help us bring dignity, transparency, and closure to all families affected. Thank you for your support.
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The Issue
(Pictured: Sinking numerical markers at Pilgrim State Hospital. Photo courtesy of Tom Crist)
My great-uncle, Charles Anderson, was a patient at Pilgrim State Hospital from 1947 until his death in 1974. For decades, my family has lived without knowing the details of his final years, his treatment, or even the exact circumstances surrounding his death. What adds to this heartache is that, like thousands of other deceased psychiatric patients throughout New York State, Charles is laid to rest in on the hospital grounds with only a numbered stone marking his grave, his existence nearly erased.
In New York, certain patient records, like those of my great-uncle, remain sealed indefinitely, preventing families like mine from getting answers. New York State Assembly Bill A3733A aims to change that. By allowing access to these records, families would be granted the opportunity to learn about their loved ones' pasts, honoring them with the dignity they deserve.
The implementation of Bill A3733A is not just about opening archives; it's about healing for thousands of families. These documents are a vital link to understanding mental health diagnoses, treatments, and hospital conditions from an era when much was obscured from public view. They also allow for families to locate the plot information of their loved ones in these hospital cemeteries, so that they will no longer be forgotten and can be properly memorialized. By unsealing these records, we take a step towards transparency and acknowledgment of our collective history.
Signing this petition is more than an act of compassion; it is a call for justice. By urging Governor Kathy Hochul to sign Assembly Bill A3733A into law, we advocate for every family member seeking closure and every departed soul waiting for their story to be told.
Please, join me in this significant cause that not only affects my family but also impacts countless others longing for reconciliation with their past. Your signature is a step towards righting historical wrongs and ensuring that families can grieve with knowledge and peace.
Sign the petition today and help us bring dignity, transparency, and closure to all families affected. Thank you for your support.
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Petition created on September 4, 2026