The First Month of the New York Democratic Legislative Session has been Historically Productive, most of which has already been Signed by Gov, Andrew Cuomo and is now Law.

LGBTQ Rights:

The Legislature took Action on Legislation Expanding LGBT Rights since the Passage of Marriage Equality in 2011.

Passed S.1047, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) that Prohibits Discrimination based on Gender Identity or Expression and Adds Transgender New Yorkers to those Protected by the State’s Hate Crimes Law. The Senate also passed Legislation Banning Conversion Therapy (S.1046) which Prohibits Mental Health Professionals from Engaging in Sexual Orientation Change Efforts with a Patient under the age of 18.

Reproductive Health:

In the face of the Threats to Reproductive Rights emanating from the Trump Administration and the Supreme Court, it was Critical that New York take Action. On January 22nd, the 46th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Legislature Passed:

- The Reproductive Health Act: S.240 will Modernize New York’s nearly 50-year-old Statutes regarding Abortion and Ensure that New York State Law treats Abortion as Health Care, not a Criminal Act.

- The Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act: S.659-A will require Health Insurance Companies to include Coverage of All FDA-Approved Contraceptive Options, as well as Contraceptive Counseling, and Services.

- The Boss Bill: S.660 will Ensure that Employees or their Dependents are able to make their Own Reproductive Health Care Decisions without Incurring Adverse Employment Consequences.

DREAM Act: The Legislature Passed the DREAM Act (S.1250), which will allow Undocumented Children, who are already Students in New York State, the Ability to Qualify for State Aid for Higher Education, Create a Dream Fund for College Scholarship Opportunities, and Remove Barriers that Block Undocumented Families from College Saving Programs. At this time when Immigrants are under Attack from the Trump Administration, New York is Standing Up for Educational Opportunity for All.

Child Victims Act: S.2440 Reformed New York State’s Outdated Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse. The Child Victims Act will Raise the Criminal Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse Crimes by Five years and Raise the Civil Statute of Limitations for Causes of Action brought by Someone seeking Redress for Physical, Psychological, or other Injury Caused by Child Sexual Abuse to Age 55.

Additionally, this Legislation will Create a One-year Window, starting Six Months from the Effective Date of the Bill, for Past Victims of Child Sexual Abuse to Initiate Lawsuits against their Abusers and the Public and Private Institutions that let the Abuse happen. It is Incomprehensible that until now New York State has Failed to Allow All Victims of Child Sexual Abuse to have their Day in Court. By Passing the Child Victims Act, we are Ensuring that New York Laws will Not stand in the way of the Right of Victims to Seek Justice.

Anti-Gun Violence Legislation: We have a Responsibility to keep New York Families Safe and Secure from Gun Violence. That means Enacting Commonsense Laws that the vast Majority of People, including Gun Owners, Support. After years of Inaction, the Legislature Passed a Comprehensive Package of Commonsense Gun Bills, including:

- Extreme Risk Protection Orders: S.2451 allows Law Enforcement Officials, Family, Household Members, and certain School Officials to Seek a Court Order requiring a Person likely to Harm Themselves or Others to Relinquish any Firearms in their Possession.

- Effective Background Check Act: S.2374 establishes an Extension of Time Up to Thirty Calendar Days for National Instant Background Checks.

- Bump Stock Ban: S.2448 Prohibits the Possession of a Device that Accelerates the Rate of Fire of a Firearm.

- Preventing School Districts from Arming Teachers: S.101A Prevents K-12 Schools from Authorizing anyone other than a Security Officer, School Resource Officer, or Law Enforcement Officer to Carry a Firearm on School Grounds.

- Gun Buy Backs: S.2449 Directs the State Police to Devise Regulations for Gun Buyback programs so that All Buyback Programs across the State are Operated Consistently with Uniform Best Practices.

- Out of State Mental Health Records: S.2438 will Require Out-of-State Applicants for Gun Permits to Allow New York Permitting Authorities to Review Out-of-State Mental Health Records.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker