South Queens, NY – Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-South Queens) introduced a bill earlier this month that would provide support for individuals with disabilities when they are hospitalized. A.4685 would ensure that individuals with disabilities are able to have an essential support person with them in hospitals, during declared emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This bill will protect adults with disabilities and their caretakers. The D’Amicos cared for their 30-year-old son, Fred, who had nonverbal autism,” Pheffer Amato said. “Fred was hospitalized due to COVID-19 in March 2020, but medical staff would not allow his mother or father to be with him in the hospital. He passed away alone, without his family to care for him or advocate for his medical needs. Other families should not have to go through this, and this bill will ensure that people with disabilities have their advocates with them in the hospital.”

“This is not about getting justice for me, but honoring my son, and making sure that this does not happen again to anyone else,” Maria D’Amico, Fred’s mother, said. “Many people think that people with Autism don’t have emotions, but they are very affected by their surroundings and by sudden changes. My son never went anywhere without me or my daughter. I know that being left alone and surrounded by machines was terrifying for him. I know he would have wanted me there to say goodbye. I believe that is part of why he died.”

This bill is sponsored in the New York State Senate by Sen. Joseph Addabbo.