D Sen. Lea Webb

Argued that nurses are the backbone of healthcare and their voices belong in hospital governance. Stated that including a registered nurse on hospital governing bodies would ensure decisions on staffing, quality of care, and patient safety are grounded in clinical experience, and that this change is long overdue.

The bill addresses barriers to timely, accurate, and culturally competent health information for expecting and new mothers on Medicaid, who experience higher rates of maternal and infant health complications. The mobile app would empower individuals with knowledge during a vulnerable time and help reduce preventable deaths and improve outcomes.

The bill empowers domestic violence survivors by allowing them to revoke pension benefits from beneficiaries convicted of family offenses, correcting an injustice in current law that locks in beneficiary designations for life.

As sponsor and chair of the Senate Committee on Women's Issues representing rural areas, Webb stated the bill protects maternal and infant health by requiring hospital perinatal service changes to undergo Article 28 review, ensuring community awareness and involvement in decisions that impact care access and outcomes.

The bill provides law enforcement with a critical tool to identify victims at high risk of intimate partner homicide, inspired by the tragic loss of Gabby Petito. The assessment enables officers to connect victims with local resources and advocates, and may support filing for extreme risk protection orders.

Webb characterized the legislation as a call to action rather than symbolic gesture, emphasizing that the opioid crisis has devastated both rural and urban communities. She argued that awareness and humanizing the crisis leads to better policy and the need for continued funding of treatment and compassionate systems.

The bill supports New York's farming and agricultural community by establishing regional farmers markets in food deserts, helping farmers access new local markets and ensuring communities have access to locally grown, healthy food.

Webb explained that the bill excludes food sold to students through approved donation programs from sales tax to address food insecurity on college campuses. She argued that many SUNY and CUNY students experience food insecurity and that this legislation is part of a broader commitment to make higher education more equitable and ensure students can learn without being hungry.

The bill creates parity between bed-and-breakfasts and similar establishments like hotels and restaurants by allowing alcohol sales to guests. It supports the B&B economy, boosts agritourism, expands markets for New York farmers, and removes the overnight guest requirement to increase customer base opportunities.