"Access to basic reproductive healthcare is under attack across this country in ways that even those of us with decades of experience couldn't have imagined a few years ago," said BPCLC Co-Chair Senator Liz Krueger. "That's why it's more important than ever for New York to lead by example, to show other states what is possible to protect reproductive freedoms, and to be a place of refuge for Americans who desperately need this care but live in states governed by politicians who want to rollback the clock to a darker past. This package of bills will provide critical protections, and I urge Governor Hochul to sign them."

”New York has been a leader in reproductive justice issues for decades” said Assembly Member Karines Reyes, R.N., Co-Chair of the NYS Bipartisan Pro-Choice Legislative Caucus. “As advancements in care are made and needs develop, the federal government is shirking its responsibility to center the needs of women and pregnant persons in our country. Our state can fill the gap for our residents, by enacting the 5 key bills that the Legislature passed this session and await Governor Hochul’s signature. New York must continue to set an example for how states and government can affirm people of various genders and pregnancy experiences, and we can do that with Governor Hochul’s prioritizing and signing these pivotal pieces of legislation.”

Assembly Member Harry Bronson said: “Our fundamental rights to healthcare access are under attack at the federal level. I am proud to work with my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate to ensure that New Yorkers will continue to have access to safe, responsible reproductive healthcare and gender affirming care. The Shield Law guarantees that medical and mental health providers and families are protected from persecution and prosecution in New York State. We will not sacrifice our rights to an extremist administration but will continue to do what’s right for the families and individuals of this state by fighting to maintain healthcare dignity and freedom for all.”

Senator Kristen Gonzalez said: "At a time when women's rights, our reproductive freedoms, and our right to bodily autonomy are under attack, New York must meet this moment with bold and proactive legislation. The Trump administration has erased entire websites of information about reproductive rights overnight. My bill, S.3285 ensures our Department of Health can provide regular and factual information to New Yorkers about their rights, options, and resources. Education is protection, and outreach is power. Thank you Senator Krueger and Assemblymember Reyes for emphasizing the significance of the bills in this package. We urge the Governor to sign them all into law to guarantee that all New Yorkers can access the reproductive and gender-affirming care they need and deserve."

Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas said: “We are at a critical moment for our state. With bold, meaningful legislation, we can shield New Yorkers from the heinous attacks coming from the Trump administration. Immigrants, women, and LGBTQIA+ communities are at immediate risk of losing healthcare and access to essential resources. Today, I stand with my colleagues to underscore the urgency of our call for Governor Hochul to enact this lifesaving package, that includes my bill which ensures that the Department of Health educates New Yorkers about the full range of health services available to them so they can make the best choices for their health and families. We are asking the governor to protect reproductive rights and expand access to reproductive, sexual, and trans health care across New York. Every day we delay leaves more New Yorkers vulnerable."

Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “The federal administration and hostile states are targeting healthcare they’ve decided is unworthy — demonizing it, denying it, and leaving people without the care they need. Here in New York, we believe healthcare is a right and that every person deserves access. The Hospital Transparency Act must be signed into law now so patients know what care is available at their local hospital and so the state can identify and close healthcare deserts that put lives in jeopardy. Without this transparency, hospitals can quietly bow to federal pressure and cut vital services like reproductive and gender-affirming care, which are often the first to go. People are losing healthcare right now, and New York cannot stand by while it disappears. Signing this bill into law is how we fight to continue care, not lose more of it.”

Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said: "Every day, the Trump administration and hostile states escalate their threats against providers of reproductive and gender-affirming care, and the patients who depend on their care. These threats are not hypothetical, and providers across our state are sounding the alarm that legal process is being weaponized to criminalize reproductive and gender-affirming care—care that is legal, evidence-based, and lifesaving here in New York. That's why I am proud to partner with Assemblymember Harry Bronson to sponsor the Shield Law 2.0 (S.4914-B/A.5480-C) to ensure New York remains a safe haven by closing loopholes that would otherwise lead to the disclosure of sensitive patient information, ensuring that all providers involved in the provision of care are expressly shielded, and making clear that New York courts must apply New York's legal protections. I am grateful for the support of Senator Liz Krueger and the BPCLC, and I hope that Governor Hochul will sign this life-saving legislation as soon as possible."
 

Senator James Skoufis said: "The right to make one’s own decisions about abortion and contraception are fundamental, central to health and economic well-being, and can literally save lives. As American women watch their rights being ripped away in other states across the country, there is no better time to shore up protections for reproductive rights in New York. This package of legislation is nothing short of imperative, and I’m proud to see my bill included, which would require state-regulated private insurance carriers to reimburse pharmacists for contraceptive care. I stand with my colleagues in urging the Executive to protect the rights of New Yorkers and sign this set of bills into law."

Allie Bohm, senior policy counsel at the New York Civil Liberties Union, said: “Governor Hochul has promised that she will do everything in her power to ensure New York protects access to reproductive and gender-affirming health care; and to do this, she will need to find her pen. The BPCLC is right to urge the Governor to sign Hospital Transparency, Shield Law 2.0, and the New York Health Information Privacy Act today. As threats mount nationwide, New York must do all it can to protect our most personal medical decisions and to ensure we can get the care we need. This starts by signing these three critical bills without delay.”

Robin Chappelle Golston, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts, said: "At a time when reproductive rights and access to essential health care are under attack across the country, New York must continue to stand up and lead. This package of legislation is about safeguarding the fundamental right to make decisions about our bodies and our futures, while ensuring that everyone, no matter who they are or where they live, can access the full range of reproductive, sexual, and gender-affirming health care they need. This is the moment to be bold, to protect the progress we have fought for, and to expand rights for generations to come. We urge Governor Hochul to act swiftly to enact these measures and reinforce New York’s role as a national leader in the fight for reproductive freedom for all."

Jenna Bimbi, Executive Director of the NY Birth Control Action Fund, said: “The rise of misinformation about birth control is part of the broader culture war on reproductive health. This legislation is a critical response because it allows pharmacists to serve as accessible providers where patients can access fact-based, medical counseling about birth control. It also ensures that more patients across New York can obtain birth control directly from their pharmacists without facing out-of-pocket costs.”

Christian LoBue, President, National Institute for Reproductive Health: “While other states are rolling back rights, New York is proving that states can be proactive in building the infrastructure for reproductive freedom. This bill package is a comprehensive framework that works to fortify access to care, safeguards privacy, ensures transparency in health care delivery, and removes barriers to care. From the pharmacy counter to the hospital room, these policy solutions center the health, autonomy, and dignity of every New Yorker. We are grateful for the vision and vigilance of New York's legislative champions, and urge Governor Hochul to sign these bills into law.”

Alex Dery Snider, Policy and Communications Director, Empire Justice Center, said: “The Shield law makes it clear that children and their families should be able to obtain necessary medical care, including legally protected healthcare, without being punished. This is a matter of life and death for our clients, and the need for these protections has only gotten more urgent since the bill was drafted. We thank our sponsors Sen. Hoylman and Assemblymember Bronson and the BPCLC co-chairs Senator Liz Krueger and Assembly Member Karines Reyes, and we urge the governor to sign it into law as quickly as possible. New York families cannot wait.”