Bill Memos
Born Alive Survivors Protection Act
Memorandum of Support
Re: A.7816 Manktelow / S.5332 Helming
Establishing the born alive abortion survivors’ protection act
This legislation would restore legal protections to children who are born alive during late-term abortion procedures. The New York State Catholic Conference strongly supports this measure and urges favorable votes.
Prior to the 2019 enactment of the Reproductive Health Act, New York Public Health Law Section 4164 provided full legal protection to any child who might be born alive as the result of, or during the course of, an abortion. It also required a second doctor to be available during late-term abortion to help give medical care to any such child. Shockingly, New York’s new abortion law removed all such protections from our Public Health Law, defying both common sense and public opinion.
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‘Study’ of Crisis Pregnancy Centers
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: A.8212 Glick / S.6311 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 Human Cloning Ban
Memorandum of Support
Re: A.5863 Fitzpatrick
In relation to the “human cloning prohibition act”
The above-referenced bill would completely and comprehensively prohibit human cloning or “somatic cell nuclear transfer,” both for “reproductive” purposes and for so-called “therapeutic” purposes.
The New York State Catholic Conference supports this legislation.
More Parental Notification for Abortion
Memorandum of Support
Re: A.6125 DeStefano and A.5999 Lawrence
In relation to parental notification for abortions performed on minors
The New York State Catholic Conference supports the two above-referenced bills which would support parents in the discharge of their parental responsibilities and promote the structure and stability of the family unit. These bills would require 48 hours’ notice to one parent prior to abortions performed on children under age 18.
More Mandated Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse
Memorandum: No Objection
A.6662-B Wallace
Re: Extension of Mandated Reporting Requirements to Clergy
The above-referenced legislation would add clergy to the list of professions that are required to report suspected cases of child sexual abuse. This is a noble goal, which the Bishops of New York State have long supported.
We had previously indicated opposition to an earlier draft of this legislation because it did not protect the sacred, inviolable seal of the confessional. With the recent amendment, this concern has been resolved, and we therefore remove our opposition and have no objection to this latest print.
More Recreational Marijuana
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: A.1617-C Peoples-Stokes / S.1527-C Krueger
In relation to Recreational Marijuana
The above-referenced legislation would legalize the sale and use of recreational marijuana in New York State. The New York State Catholic Conference strongly opposes this legislation.
In opposing this legislation, we cite our 2019 statement, in which we urged the legislature to reject such a plan, citing consequences from increased teenage and childhood use, impact on developing brains, natural progression to harder drug use, and increased impairment-related transportation accidents and deaths.
More Emergency Contraception Promotion on Campus
Memorandum of Opposition
S.5089 (Parker) / A.4831 Englebright
Re: Emergency Contraception
The above-referenced bill would require every public college and university in New York State to provide information to promote the use of “emergency contraception” (EC) drugs by students.
The New York State Catholic Conference opposes this legislation.
Since the federal Food & Drug Administration has approved distribution of EC over-the-counter in drugstores, and the Medicaid program and health insurers in New York State are required to cover the costs, there is now virtually unlimited access to these drugs.
More Composting of Human Bodies
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: A.9839 (Paulin)
In relation to the composting of human bodies
The above-referenced bill seeks to add composting, or “natural organic reduction” (bill language) to the approved methods in New York State for the disposition of human remains.
The New York State Catholic Conference opposes this bill.
More Home Stability Support Programs
Memorandum of Support
Re: A.1620-A Hevesi / S.2375 Krueger
In relation to Home Stability Support Programs
It is unacceptable that the Empire State has more than 150,000 homeless children and another 80,000 families on the brink of homelessness. Statewide, some 23,000 more people become homeless than escape homelessness every year.
The existing shelter allowance is woefully inadequate compared to the actual cost of housing where two-thirds of public assistance households are living in housing whose rents significantly exceed their shelter allowances. More than 82,000 households have rents that are 1.5 times or more than their shelter allowance. Nearly 21,000 households have rents that are 2.5 times their shelter allowances. As a result, many families are being forced into homelessness at no fault of their own.
More Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: S.2264 Hoylman / A.2352 Glick
In relation to pregnancy centers
This bill would impose unconstitutional requirements on pregnancy centers in violation of the First Amendment. Specifically, it would require that a mandatory, government-designed statement be made by pro-life pregnancy centers to disclose to clients the services they do not provide. It therefore mandates an impermissible form of coerced speech. We urge you to oppose this bill.
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