New York creates new laws protecting abortion providers and patients

New York creates new laws protecting abortion providers and patients

On June 13th, NY Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that protects abortion patients and healthcare providers from retaliation by other states.

A leaked draft opinion showed that the Supreme Court intends to obliterate our constitutional right to abortion, and in that case 26 states are likely to ban abortion outright. 

These new laws:

  • Protect abortion providers from arrest, extradition and legal proceedings in other states by forbidding New York courts and law enforcement from cooperating with states. 
  • Prevent insurers from taking action against New York health care providers who perform reproductive services that are illegal elsewhere.
  • Give individuals the right to sue someone who has sued them or brought charges against them for facilitating, aiding, or obtaining reproductive health services. 
  • Give service providers, employees, patients, and family members of reproductive healthcare services providers the ability to enroll in NY’s address confidentiality program.

The bills: 

S.9039A/A.10094A Establishes a Cause of Action for Unlawful Interference with Protected Rights   

S.9077A/A.10372A Relates to Legal Protection for Abortion Service Providers   

S.9079B/A.9687B Prohibits Misconduct Charges Against Healthcare Practitioners for Providing Reproductive Health Services to Patients Who Reside in States Where Such Services Are Illegal      

S.9080B/A.9718B Prohibits Medical Malpractice Insurance Companies from Taking Adverse Action Against a Reproductive Healthcare Provider Who Provides Legal Care      

S.9384A/A.9818A Includes Abortion Providers and Patients in the Address Confidentiality Program   

S.470/A.5499 Authorizes a Study to Examine Unmet Health and Resource Needs and Impact of Limited Service Pregnancy Centers

“Reproductive rights are human rights, and today we are signing landmark legislation to further protect them and all who wish to access them in New York State. The women of New York will never be subjected to government mandated pregnancies. Not here. Not now. Not ever,” Governor Hochul said. “Today, we are taking action to protect our service providers from the retaliatory actions of anti-abortion states and ensure that New York will always be a safe harbor for those seeking reproductive healthcare. New York has always been a beacon for those yearning to be free. And I want the world to hear — loud and clear — that will not change.”

“New York refuses to sit back and allow the Supreme Court to reverse years of progress by taking away a woman’s right to make choices about her own body,” said Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. “We will provide a safe haven for women in New York with this nation leading package of legislation signed into law today which protects a patient’s rights and empowers reproductive healthcare providers. New York will never stop fighting to make sure that women who are seeking safe, accessible abortion services receive them.”

 

 

C.A. Goldberg, PLLC is available to support patients, advocates, and practitioners who have safety or liability concerns in the wake of the Supreme Court decision. We stand ready to defend those whose private medical decisions become criminalized, nationwide.

 

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