Senate Bill S2127

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S2127

SPONSOR: JACKSON
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to suspending all unnec-
essary travel to states that have discriminatory laws for access to
reproductive health services

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this legislation is to ban State-funded or State-spon-
sored travel to States that have discriminatory laws that prevent access
to reproductive health services including, but not limited to, limita-
tions on access to abortions after 6 weeks of pregnancy.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 adds a new Section 170-G to the Executive Law that provides
for withholding State-funded or State-sponsored travel to States that
have discriminatory laws, as of January 1, 2024, for access to reproduc-
tive health services, including but not limited to, limitations on
              

access to abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The Attorney General
is required to develop, maintain, and post on their website a list of
States that, after January 1, 2024, have discriminatory laws for access
to reproductive health services, including but not limited to, limita-
tions on access to abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

Section 2 is the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Bans on State-sponsored or State-funded travel are effective tools to
convince other States to reevaluate discriminatory laws and policies.
In 2015, Indiana enacted a "religious freedom" law that allowed busi-
nesses to discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community. In response, New
York, California, and Washington instituted bans on State-sponsored or
State-funded travel to Indiana. One week after the law was enacted, the
Indiana Legislature amended to prohibit the Religious Freedom Restora-
tion Act to be used as a defense to discriminate against patrons based
on their sexual orientation or gender identity. In 2016, North Carolina
enacted its bathroom bill that stated individuals may only use the bath-
room of their sex assigned at birth. Thereafter, New York, California,
and Connecticut instituted bans on State-sponsored or State-funded trav-
el to North Carolina. One-year later, North Carolina repealed its bath-
room bill.

New York is, and always will be, a refuge for those seeking sexual
reproductive health support. New York has been a beacon for equity and
inclusion movements such as women's suffrage, LGBTQ+ rights, and
abortion rights. The fight continues to this day nationwide for women,
gender queer, non-binary, and trans* to have autonomy over their bodies.

In the wake of oppressive laws guided by those without uteruses, far
right religious fanatics feel the need to impose their medieval view-
points over people's reproductive rights. This legislation will encour-
age states with discriminatory policies to reconsider the impact on
their residents and the state as a whole.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2023-2024: S.2397 - Referred to Finance

2021-2022: S.7363-A - Referred to Finance

 
STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.