When Gov. Kathy Hochul called for action on A.6063/S.4423—legislation that would have amended New York state’s wrongful-death statute significantly—PIANY members immediately mobilized. While well-intentioned, the bill posed serious concerns for consumers, businesses and the insurance marketplace.
Thanks to the swift response from independent agents across the state, the governor clearly heard those concerns and vetoed A.6063/S.4423 late last week. So, what would this legislation have changed, and why did it matter to independent insurance agents?
What the bill proposed
The state’s current wrongful-death law allows recovery for pecuniary (financial) losses. The proposed legislation would have expanded recoverable damages to include:
- grief and emotional anguish;
- loss of love, society, companionship, comfort, guidance and consortium;
- additional categories of “close family members” able to sue; and
- a longer statute of limitations for filing claims.
These changes would have represented one of the most sweeping expansions of wrongful death in decades.
Why the veto matters to independent agents
For agents on the front lines of client communication, the bill raised substantial industry concerns, including:
Potential for significant premium increases. Expanding damages to include emotional loss—open-ended and difficult to quantify—could have increased claim severity across multiple lines, especially medical malpractice, general liability and auto liability. Agents could have faced increasingly difficult conversations with clients as premiums rose.
Pressure on already-strained markets. Many commercial and personal lines in New York state already are navigating rate pressure, loss-cost volatility and carrier appetite changes. A major expansion of liability exposure risked further tightening markets and reducing availability for consumers.
Financial strain on health care systems and small businesses. Hospitals, nonprofits, municipalities and small businesses have expressed concern about the affordability of liability coverage under the bill’s proposed framework.
Gov. Hochul reflected these concerns in her veto message, noting that while the intent of the bill is compassionate, its economic impact on New Yorkers had not been fully addressed. She emphasized that the legislation could have widespread financial consequences for consumers and essential services across the state.
What the veto means going forward
For now, New York’s wrongful-death statute remains unchanged, maintaining the existing liability environment. This provides agents and policyholders with some stability while legislators, stakeholders and industry experts continue to evaluate potential future reforms.
Although the governor signaled openness to a more measured update to the wrongful-death law, the conversation will continue into the next legislative session. Independent agents—who see firsthand how premiums affect families and businesses—will remain an important resource for lawmakers seeking balanced, workable solutions.
PIANY members play a role
PIANY extends a sincere thank-you to our members who responded quickly to the association’s advocacy alert and contacted the governor’s office. Your outreach helped highlight the practical impacts this bill could have on policyholders and the marketplace.
Independent agents play a vital role in ensuring policymakers understand what legislation means for real people. Your participation made that possible, and we appreciate your willingness to act on short notice.
PIANY will continue sharing updates as discussions around wrongful-death reform continue, and we remain grateful for your engagement and support.
Joseph Ritchie
Joe Ritchie joined PIA Northeast as government and industry affairs coordinator for the Government & Industry Affairs Department in 2025, where he supports the association’s legislative, regulatory and member-advocacy initiatives across the Northeast. Prior to joining PIA, Joe served as the Advocacy & Policy Coordinator at Riverkeeper, working closely with municipal leaders, environmental organizations, and state agencies to advance clean water protections in the Hudson Valley. Previously, he worked as the Administrator of Government Affairs at Spectrum, where he managed statewide regulatory filings, supported broadband deployment efforts, and coordinated communications with policymakers. Joe also spent time in the New York State Assembly, assisting Assemblymember Kevin Cahill during his tenure as Chair of the Insurance Committee, where he contributed to committee meeting preparations, legislative research and constituent support. In addition to his government affairs work, Joe is the co-founder and Chair of Lights Out Norlite, a community-based environmental justice initiative focused on improving public health and industrial oversight in the Capital Region. He received his bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and remains an active supporter of Syracuse Football. Outside of work, Joe enjoys cooking Italian meals for his wife, spending time with his family and camping throughout the Adirondacks.
