Law Named for Ossining Native Son Peter Falk Will Help Family, Friends of the Dying

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed "Peter Falk's Law" on Thursday — legislation that requires guidelines for end of life notices and visitation rights regarding incapacitated individuals subject of legal guardianship proceedings.

The legislation was sparked by the end-of-life treatment of the late actor and "Columbo" star Peter Falk, who was president of his senior class at Ossining High School in 1945.

Falk's daughter had alleged the actor's second wife obtained conservatorship of him and blocked all contact with other family members at the end of his life, said New York Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli of Syracuse (Falk graduated from Syracuse.

"The issue was brought to my attention by Catherine Falk, Peter’s daughter," Magnarelli said in a statement about the signing. "When her father became ill, she was prevented from visiting him and was not notified of major changes in his condition. This inspired her to become an advocate for other families facing the improper isolation of a relative by a guardian. I want to thank Catherine for her tireless advocacy in getting this important bill passed."

The bill requires the court order appointing a guardian to oversee the care of an incapacitated person to identify all individuals who are entitled to notice of a person's death, funeral and burial arrangements.

"Losing a loved one is always hard, but not being given the chance to say goodbye is perhaps even harder," Cuomo said in his announcement. "This measure will help ensure an individual's friends and family will have an opportunity to express their love and pay their respects at this critical and trying time."

In some circumstances under the current law, legally-appointed guardians have failed to notify family members or close friends of the individual when they become sick, are admitted to the hospital, or pass away. By requiring the identification and notification of other family and friends, this law will help ensure legal guardians will no longer be able to improperly isolate an incapacitated person at the end of their lives, Cuomo said.

PHOTO: Peter Falk in 1945/The Wizard, yearbook of Ossining High School, Ossining, New York