Assemblymember Fred W. Thiele (D-Sag Harbor) today announced that critical legislation enacted by the New York State Legislature to safeguard further the right to choose and access safe abortions has received Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature. After it was revealed that the Supreme Court intends to overturn Roe v. Wade, the longstanding precedent protecting abortion rights nationwide, the Assembly Majority set forth a package of bills that would build upon 2019's Reproductive Health Act. Bills included are:

• A.9687B: Prohibits professional misconduct charges against health care practitioners on the basis that such health care practitioner, acting within their scope of practice, performed, recommended or provided reproductive health care services for a patient who resides in a state wherein such reproductive health services are illegal.
• A.9718: Prohibits medical malpractice insurance companies from taking any adverse action against an abortion or reproductive health care provider who performs an abortion or provides reproductive health care that is legal in the state of New York on someone who is from out of the state.
• A.9818A: Provides address confidentiality to protect reproductive health care services providers, employees, volunteers, patients, or immediate family members of reproductive health care services providers.
• A.10094A: Establishes a cause of action for unlawful interference with protected rights.
• A.10372A: Provides certain legal protections for abortion service providers including protection from extradition, arrest and legal proceedings in other states relating to abortions legally performed in this state.

"New York State must remain a national leader in protecting reproductive rights and the providers who perform reproductive care in the face of growing attacks on bodily autonomy”, said Assemblymember Thiele. "I am proud that this session, the Assembly acted swiftly to enact bold and necessary legislation to protect New Yorkers and individuals coming to our state seeking care. We must never go back."