How Abortion Laws Could Change In NY

Democratic Elected Officials in New York, have signaled they will take action to enhance the State's current Abortion Laws, after the release of a draft ruling at the U.S. Supreme Court that could lead to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Here are Four things to know as Lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) may try to do.

1. What Laws are already on the Books?

New York is among the Democratic-leaning States with liberal Abortion Laws. In 2019, New York Lawmakers and then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) approved the Reproductive Health Act. The Measure, which was meant to codify Roe v. Wade into State Law, allows a Pregnancy to be Terminated after 24 weeks, if a Woman’s life is in Danger or the Fetus is not Viable. It also allows a Licensed or Certified Health Care practitioner to perform Abortions.

2. What would a Constitutional Amendment do?

State Lawmakers are considering a variety of Constitutional Amendments, meant to enshrine the Right to Abortion Access in the State. The question remains how expansive Lawmakers want to write the Amendment. Some Legislators are calling for a narrowly written Amendment that would deal with the pending Supreme Court ruling.

But some Legislators are crafting Amendments that would be, wider in scope, and issue a broad series of Protections based on Gender. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-35th District) indicated the more Expansive Amendment is under consideration. “I think that the idea now is to create a broad-based constitutional amendment that pretty much says that ‘we respect you for who you are’,” she said. “Obviously, we also want to (include) the pregnancy outcomes piece of that, which talks about the Roe piece.”

3. What is the Legislature considering?

One Proposal announced by Lawmakers this week, would create a Fund within the State Department of Health, that is designed to expand Access to Abortion in New York. The Proposal would create a Program to award Grant Funding to Providers and Non-Profit Organizations that provide Abortions.

At the same time, the Measure is meant to help Abortion Providers build out Capacity, if Roe v. Wade is Overturned and Fund care for those who lack coverage or if coverage is unusable.

"The Reproductive Freedom and Equity Fund will address gaps that providers and organizations have uncovered in their provision of care," said State Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas (D-34th District), who is sponsoring the Bill along with Sen. Cordell Cleare (D-30th District). "It will also help us address the incredible demand that will now increase because of this expected rollback. New York will lead where SCOTUS has failed."

4. What will the Governor do?

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has said she will consider Executive Actions to bolster Abortion Laws in the State. That could also include providing support to Women from States where Abortion would be Outlawed to receive care in New York. At the same time, the State could boost Telehealth Services for women who are seeking an Abortion.










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