Bill Memos
Paid Leave After a Stillbirth
Memorandum of Support
Re: S2175 Kennedy
In relation to paid family leave after a 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.
Clean Slate Act
Memorandum of Concern
Re: S211 Myrie / A1029 Cruz
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 has one critical flaw in that it would make it impossible for many 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.
Written Notice for False-Positive Prenatal Testing Results
Memorandum of Support
Re: S1159 Skoufis
Requires a written notice on the occurrence of a false-positive result for any condition tested during a prenatal test
The above-referenced bill would require written notice be provided to pregnant women regarding the possibility of false-positive prenatal testing results. The New York State Catholic Conference wholeheartedly supports this legislation.
Medicaid Coverage for Childbirth
Memorandum of Support
Re: S1241 Sanders
In relation to Medicaid coverage for childbirth
The above-referenced legislation would establish mandatory Medicaid coverage for hospital stays for maternity patients and their newborn babies. The New York State Catholic Conference supports this bill and urges favorable committee action.
Allowances for the Costs of Diapers
Memorandum of Support
Re: S1210 Persaud
In relation to allowances for the costs of diapers
The above-referenced bill would amend the Social Services Law to provide eligible parents with an allowance for the purchase of diapers for their infants and toddlers. The New York State Catholic Conference supports this legislation and urges its approval.
Increase in Value of Rent Subsidies
Memorandum of Support
Re: S2038-A Brisport
Increase in Value of Rent Subsidies
The above referenced legislation amends Section 409-A of the Social Services Law to increase the value of rent subsidies for families whose lack of adequate housing puts their children at risk of entry into the foster care system or delays their reunification. The maximum monthly subsidy would rise from $300 to $725.
The New York State Catholic Conference supports this bill.
Policy-Based Exclusions
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: S1003-A Hinchey
Relates to providing information to patients and the public on policy-based exclusions
The above referenced bill would require the commissioner of health to collect from each healthcare facility a list of its policy-based exclusions and publish such information on the department’s website. The New York State Catholic Conference is opposed to this legislation.
Defining the human embryo as “tissue”
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: A1135 Paulin
In relation to defining the human embryo as “tissue”
The above-referenced bill would add the “embryo” to the definition of human tissue under our Public Health Law. The New York State Catholic Conference opposes this legislation.
Prescribing Abortion Medication via Telehealth
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: S.1066-A Mayer
Relates to providing protections to health service providers who perform legally protected health services
The above referenced legislation purports to shield health care practitioners from legal action in other states for prescribing abortion medication via telehealth services. It also prevents medical malpractice insurers from taking adverse action against health care practitioners for providing these services. The New York State Catholic Conference is strongly opposed to this measure.
Equality Amendment
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: A1283 Seawright/ S108-A Krueger
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.