Nuns sue New York over long-term care rules

The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne filed a federal lawsuit after state health officials sent letters saying a 2023 law requires long-term care facilities to follow residents' choices on pronouns and restroom access. The sisters say they requested an exemption on March 5 and have received no reply; the federal case is now pending.

The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne run Rosary Hill Home, a 42-bed facility in New York that provides free palliative care to people with cancer. This week the sisters filed a lawsuit in federal court against New York State. Their filing follows a series of letters from the State Department of Health interpreting a 2023 law intended to protect long-term care residents' rights related to gender identity and expression. The sisters say they asked for a religious exemption on March 5 and have not received a response. Key facts: - State health letters are reported to say facilities must respect residents' preferred names and pronouns, allow restroom access consistent with gender identity, and provide cultural competency training focused on LGBT residents under a 2023 seniors' rights law. - The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne sued New York in federal court and say their written exemption request has gone unanswered. - The lawsuit's filing notes potential penalties for willful noncompliance cited under public-health laws, including fines, injunctions, licensing consequences, and possible imprisonment. - The New York State Department of Health is reported to have said it is committed to following state law that protects residents against discrimination based on gender identity or expression. Summary: The dispute centers on how the 2023 law applies to a faith-run nursing home that provides palliative care. The Dominican Sisters have brought a federal lawsuit after an exemption request went unanswered. How the court will address claims about religious exemption and enforcement of the state's requirements is undetermined at this time.