Asm. Sarah Clark

Asm. Walsh spoke in support of the bill, explaining it was introduced in response to an Orange County incident where an elementary student reported sexual assault by another student but school officials failed to notify the parent. Walsh noted the bill requires immediate parent notification when allegations of child abuse are made in educational settings. Walsh also referenced her own bill, Jacobe's Law, addressing school bullying, and emphasized that parents must be immediately informed if their child is being sexually assaulted or bullied.

Clark explained the bill equalizes caregiver ratios between center-based and home-based child care providers, will open more slots and help children on waitlists, and poses no danger to children based on proven center-based experience.

Highlighted domestic violence victim support provisions allowing self-attestation for public benefits, eliminating documentation requirements that could endanger survivors.

Highlighted domestic violence victim support provisions allowing self-attestation for public benefits, eliminating documentation requirements that could endanger survivors.

Highlighted domestic violence victim support provisions allowing self-attestation for public benefits, eliminating documentation requirements that could endanger survivors.

Clark explained her vote, noting this is one of many child care bills she has passed to advance universal child care. She emphasized the personal importance of the issue, as she is raising three children while working and many families across the state face similar struggles.

Assemblywoman Walsh expressed disappointment with the chapter amendment, explaining that instead of convening a workgroup on maternal health care and birthing standards that would develop recommendations and report back to the Legislature and Governor, the chapter authorizes only the Commissioner of Health to evaluate and make recommendations. Walsh characterized this as cutting the Legislature out of the process and weakening the sponsor's original intent, though she voted in the affirmative to make progress in the area.

Explained the bill addresses unintended consequences of a minimum earnings calculation that penalized parents earning money outside of payroll, such as small business owners, making them ineligible for child care assistance.

Sponsor explained the bill addresses unintended consequences of a minimum earnings calculation that penalized parents earning money outside traditional payroll, including small business owners and self-employed individuals seeking child care assistance.

The bill addresses the mental health crisis on college campuses where suicide is the second leading cause of death. It will place 9-8-8 suicide and crisis text line information on student ID cards to provide another resource for students in need of support.

Emphasized the importance of building judicial expertise in apportionment cases and ensuring integrity of the court system to prevent outcome-driven forum shopping.

Explained that the chapter amendment allows municipalities to impose civil penalties up to $500 for non-response or false information on vacancy surveys, and removes the original provision revoking Certificates of Occupancy. Argued the bill enables municipalities to gather accurate housing data and optionally implement rent stabilization policies similar to New York City's model.

The Chapter Amendment expands the Hope Card Act by adding digital access options alongside physical cards, making New York the sixth state to enact this protection for domestic violence survivors.

As a mother of three with varied birthing experiences, Clark stressed that maternal health outcomes are declining in New York and her county, and that legislation is needed to meet mothers' needs and ensure safer, less frightening birthing experiences.

The Hope Card Act empowers domestic violence survivors by providing wallet-sized cards with order of protection information, allowing survivors to decide who to inform and giving law enforcement better access to enforce protections.

Argued that because New York has statutorily protected reproductive rights through the Reproductive Health Act, reproductive health and maternal healthcare deserve specific consideration in health equity assessments. Noted that 1.2 million New Yorkers live in contraceptive deserts and two counties have no access to reproductive care.