Issues: Women

ALBANY, NY- Last night, both the New York State Senate and Assembly passed legislation protecting child models from exploitation and abuse. State Senate Labor Committee Chairwoman Diane Savino (D-Staten Island) was the prime sponsor in the Senate (S.5486) and Assemblyman Steve Otis was the prime sponsor in the Assembly (A.7787). Senate Majority Coalition Leader Jeffrey D. Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) co-sponsored the legislation and helped fast track the measure through the legislature.

“All 10 points of this legislative package are crucial for the women of New York including the reproductive health legislation. This legislation simply reconciles state and federal law to protect a woman’s right to choose. In 1970, when the issue of reproductive health was first passed in New York, 12 Republican Senators joined a majority of their Democratic colleagues to support this landmark legislation. Women’s health and equality is not a Republican or Democratic issue. The women of New York deserve a vote on the entire Women’s Equality Act and deserve to know where their elected officials stand on these important issues.”

State legislators, New York City Council members, and leaders of prominent organizations advocating for women’s equality and health gathered today to demand an open floor vote in the State Senate on Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 10-point Women’s Equality Act, whose introduction is expected this legislative session.

We are currently celebrating National Women’s Health Week.

With this in mind, I’m pleased to report that I’ve just voted to approve two critically important bills that are designed to improve women’s health care throughout our state. These measures include the following:

“The Governor’s Women’s Equality Agenda has been discussed and debated the entire session. Any distraction from passing this is unfortunate. The women of New York deserve a vote on the Governor’s full 10 point plan.”

Click here to view the official press release.