Bill Memos
Equality Amendment
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: A41002 Seawright/S51002 Stewart-Cousins
Equality Amendment
The above-referenced legislation would amend New York State’s Constitution to ban unjust discrimination against persons based on a broad variety of classes and characteristics. This version of the bill rightly applies the same level of protection to religion as it does to the expanded list of classes. While we strongly agree with the goal of protecting all human beings from unjust discrimination, we oppose this legislation as it seeks to enshrine the right to abortion in the New York State Constitution.
Constitutional Amendment Regarding “Equality”
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: S8797-B Krueger
In relation to Constitutional Amendment Regarding “Equality”
The above-referenced legislation would amend New York State’s Constitution to ban unjust discrimination against persons based on a broad variety of classes and characteristics. Despite this measure’s well-intentioned and worthy objectives, it fails on a variety of levels to achieve these purposes. This is true even with the recent amendment which would have little impact due to case law that has weakened religious liberty protections in the state over the last two decades. While we strongly agree with the goal of protecting all human beings from unjust discrimination, we oppose this legislation in its current form for the following reasons: More 
Clean Slate Act
Memorandum of Concern
Re: A6399-C Cruz / S1553-D Myrie
In relation to the Clean Slate Act
The above-referenced legislation would seal most misdemeanor and felony convictions following a waiting period and subject to certain conditions. While the NYS Catholic Conference is generally supportive of measures to give people convicted of crimes a second chance following the conclusion of their sentence, this bill is fundamentally flawed in that it would make it impossible for organizations that work with children or vulnerable adults to adequately assess whether someone who wants to work or volunteer in one of their programs can safely be around children.
Although we have made our concerns clear, amendments to date have only addressed entities that are authorized to conduct fingerprint-based background checks. This is not the case with Catholic parishes and schools and many other religious and secular ministries that serve vulnerable populations. While we do rigorous background check, we are not mandated or authorized to conduct fingerprint-based checks. The bill must be amended to fix this grave issue. More
Housing Opportunities for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
Memorandum of Support
Re: S8521-C by Mannion / A9492-C by Abinanti
Relates to the creation of an innovative supportive housing program for persons with a developmental disability who wish and are able to safely reside in such a setting
The above referenced bill would provide innovative housing opportunities for persons with a developmental disability and enable them to reside together and live more independently. The New York State Catholic Conference supports this legislation.
Composting of Human Bodies
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: S5535 Comrie / A382 Paulin
In relation to the Composting of Human Bodies
The above-referenced bill seeks to add composting, or “natural organic reduction,” to the approved methods in New York State for the disposition of human remains.
The New York State Catholic Conference opposes this bill. More
Paid Family Leave After Stillbirth
Memorandum of Support
Re: S9424 Kennedy
In relation to Paid Family Leave After Stillbirth
The above-referenced legislation would amend the Worker’s Compensation Law to provide for paid family leave for employees recovering following the birth of a stillborn child. The New York State Catholic Conference supports this bill and urges its enactment into law. More
Firearms Safety Measures
Memorandum of Support
Re: A1023-A (Paulin)/S4970-A (Kavanaugh), A6716-A (Wallace)/S89-B (Kaminsky), A7926-A (L. Rosenthal)/S4116-A (Hoylman), A7865-A (Fahy)/S4511-A (Kaplan), A10428-A (Peoples-Stokes)/S9229-A (Hoylman), A10497 (Jacobson)/S9407-B (Kavanaugh), A10501 (Meeks)/S9465 (Bailey), A10502 (Cahill)/S9113-A (Skoufis), A10503 (Jackson)/S9458 (Thomas), A10504 (Burgos)/S9456 (Sepulveda)
In relation to Firearms Safety Measures
The May 14 racially motivated massacre in a Buffalo supermarket, followed 10 days later by the unspeakable slaughter of 19 elementary school students and two teachers at a school in Uvalde, Texas, has shaken the country to its core. Federal action is urgently needed to address the issue of gun violence, particularly such rampage shootings that shatter the peace in our communities, take an incomprehensible toll on survivors and families, and leaves Americans, especially children, in a constant state of anxiety and fear that they will be next. More
Pregnancy Centers ‘Study’
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: A5499 Glick / S470 Hoylman
In relation to pregnancy centers
The above-referenced legislation would authorize the New York State Commissioner of Health to conduct a study and issue a report on the impact of pro-life pregnancy centers in the state. The pre-determined outcome of the “study” is that such services are too “limited” in denying pregnant women access to abortion.
The New York State Catholic Conference opposes this legislation and urges a negative vote. More
Abortion Sanctuary Bills
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: A9687-B Rosenthal / S9079-B Kaplan
Prohibits professional misconduct charges against healthcare practitioners for providing reproductive health services to patients who reside in states where such services are illegal
A9718-B Rosenthal / S9080-B Hinchey
Prohibits medical malpractice insurance companies from taking any adverse action against a reproductive health care provider who provides legal reproductive health care
A10094-A Burdick / S9039-A Biaggi
Establishes a cause of action for unlawful interference with protected rights
A10372A Lavine / S9077-A Krueger
Relates to legal protections for abortion service providers
The above referenced bills would encourage out of state women to come to New York for abortions by creating a cause of action should they be charged in another jurisdiction; shield New York abortion practitioners from arrest, subpoena, and extradition relating to abortion laws in other states; and prohibit professional misconduct and medical malpractice charges against abortion providers. The New York State Catholic Conference is strongly opposed to all of these pieces of legislation. More
Water Charges for Hospitals and Charities in NYC
Memorandum of Support
Re: S9380 by Sepulveda / A10150 by Lucas
Extends the effectiveness of certain provisions relating to the establishment of certain water charges for hospitals and charities in New York City
The above-referenced bill would extend a reduction in water charges that has long been offered to hospitals and other charitable organizations in New York City. The New York State Catholic Conference supports this legislation. More