Women's Legislative Accomplishments

Enacted as the “Jonah Bichotte Cowan Law”, the bill signed on December 22nd, 2020 directs the commissioner of health to require hospitals to provide pre-term labor patients with information regarding the potential health effects of pre-term labor and pre-term delivery on an expectant mother and on her fetus.

Signed on April 17th, 2020 by the governor, this law requires the commissioner of health to develop and update information on health or life-threatening pregnancy complications, and requires relevant care-providing institutions to provideinformation to expectant mothers.

On December 30th, 2019, Assemblywoman Seawright’s bill for a “Women on Corporate Boards Study” was signed by the Governor. This study requires necessary state departments to conduct a study on how many women serve as members of each board of directors of corporations that do business in New York State

On December 16th, 2019, New York State passed legislation intended to make it easier for expecting mothers to receive lactation counseling, without needing a referral from a physician, physician's assistant, registered nurse, or licensed midwife.

On December 2nd, 2019, New York State passed legislation establishing an online portal for victims of military sexual assault, where they may find information regarding resources available to them.

On November 25th, 2019, New York State passed legislation directing the commissioner of health to develop informational materials concerning menstrual disorders for distribution in schools and to patients.

On Veteran’s Day, 2019, New York State proudly honored our women veterans by passing legislation expanding the duties of the women’s veterans coordinator to better recognize, acknowledge, and reward those who have served.

On October 11th, 2019, New York State passed legislation meant to protect the menstrual health of women across the state. Due to this bill, all menstrual products sold are required to display the ingredients used in their production.

In a bill passed on September 13th, 2019, New York State authorizes access to expedited partner therapy for a broader range of sexually transmitted diseases.

On August 2nd, 2019, New York State enacted “Shannon’s Law”, which requires insurance companies to cover annual mammograms for breast cancer screening for covered persons aged thirty-five and older.

On August 1st, 2019, New York State established maternal mortality review boards, tasked with reviewing and publishing findings on maternal deaths in order to further protect the health and lives of mothers and expecting mothers across the state.

On July 15th, 2019, New York State proudly established a pilot program to award contracts to and to support small businesses, minority-owned business enterprises and women-owned business enterprises.

On January 22nd, 2019, New York State passed legislation intended to remove, clarify, and correct legal language with regards to abortion that was hostile to a woman’s right to choose and bodily autonomy.

On December 21st, 2018, Assemblywoman Seawright achieved the signing of her bill, which requires the secretary of state to maintain a publicly available database of men versus women in policy-making positions.

Also on December 21st, 2018, New York State committed to recognizing overlooked people in our shared history, including the many women who may have never had their lives recognized due to pervasive sexism.

On December 7th, 2018, New York State passed legislation which allows for providing feminine hygiene products at no cost to individuals in correctional facilities.

On June 1st, 2019, New York State passed legislation to require the department of health to publish on their website information on how to more easily access proper care for those suffering from maternal depression

On October 23rd, 2017, New York State passed legislation requiring that all female inmates at state correctional facilities be provided rehabilitation programs equivalent to those provided to male inmates.