S6441A

The New York State Senate passed legislation amending the Insurance Law on a 53-6 vote, with six senators voting in opposition over religious exemption concerns. Calendar Number 1450, Senate Print 6441A, sponsored by Sen. Skoufis, advanced despite objections from Sen. Rhoads and five colleagues who argued the bill's mandated coverage provision fails to include a good-faith religious exemption for faith-based healthcare companies. Rhoads stated that while he understood the sponsor's intent, the absence of protections for faith-based healthcare institutions with religious objections to contraceptive coverage conflicted with New York's stated commitment to respecting all faiths. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage. Voting in the negative were Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Lanza, Rhoads, Walczyk, Weber, and Borrello.

The Senate voted 62-0 to reconsider its previous passage of S6441A, a bill approving employee benefit costs for transportation employees in the Goshen Central School District. Sen. Gianaris, who sponsored the reconsideration motion, subsequently offered amendments to the bill. The amendments were received and the bill was restored to the Third Reading Calendar, where it will retain its place pending further action.

The New York State Senate passed legislation approving certain employee benefit costs on a 61-0 roll call vote. Senate Print 6441A, sponsored by Sen. Skoufis and listed as Calendar Number 1580, moved swiftly through the chamber without debate. The measure, which takes effect immediately upon passage, received unanimous support from the senators present.