Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne Sue New York Over 2024 Long-Term Care Law

The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, based in Hawthorne, New York, operate the Rosary Hill Home, a facility for terminally ill patients. The order has provided care for 125 years.

The law applies to long-term care facilities, including nursing homes. It requires staff to use pronouns, assign rooms, and permit restroom use based on a patient's gender identity. Facilities must also create communities that affirm patients' sexual preferences and accommodate desires for extramarital relations, according to the New York Department of Health.

Non-compliance carries penalties. The first violation results in a fine of up to $2,000. Repeat violations can lead to fines of up to $5,000, while willful violations may incur fines of up to $10,000 or up to one year in prison.

Lawsuit Details The lawsuit contends that these requirements conflict with the sisters' religious beliefs.

The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne care for patients from diverse backgrounds, including various ideologies and faiths. They treat each patient with dignity and Christian charity, and no complaints have been reported.