S1438

The New York State Senate voted to reconsider passage of S1438, an act to amend the Public Health Law, by a roll call vote of 60 ayes. Sen. Michael Gianaris moved to reconsider the bill, which had previously been passed. Following the successful reconsideration motion, Gianaris offered amendments to the legislation. The amendments were received by the chamber, and the bill was restored to its place on the Third Reading Calendar, where it will retain its position pending further action.

The New York State Senate passed legislation Tuesday to establish community training centers for reproductive healthcare providers, addressing what sponsors described as critical gaps in abortion access across the state. Senate Print 1438, sponsored by Sen. Krueger, would authorize the creation of up to four training centers to educate family physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician's assistants in abortion and pregnancy-related care. Sen. Krueger argued that while New York has legalized abortion rights, insufficient training capacity has created reproductive healthcare deserts throughout the state, including in underserved communities in New York City. She contended that without adequate provider training, the state's legal protections for abortion access are meaningless. The bill passed on a 40-19 vote, with 19 senators voting in opposition: Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Felder, Gallivan, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber, and Weik. The legislation takes effect April 1.