1. What is Kyra's Law?

• Kyra's Law is a proposed New York State law that prioritizes children's safety in custody and visitation decisions during divorce or separation proceedings.

2.  Why is it Called "Kyra's Law?"

• The bill is named in memory of Kyra Franchetti, a young girl who was tragically killed by her father during a court-ordered unsupervised visit. The existing laws and court practices failed to adequately protect her despite documented concerns about her safety.

3.  What Problem Does Kyra's Law Address?

• Current law may not sufficiently prioritize child safety: Advocates for Kyra's Law believe that existing laws and court practices sometimes fail to adequately consider and protect children from potential harm in custody and visitation cases, especially when there are allegations or findings of domestic violence or child abuse.

Please open the bill memos tab and select Kyra's law subsection for more information. 

1. What is the New York Health Act?

The New York Health Act is a proposed law to create a universal, single-payer healthcare system in New York State called "New York Health." This means that all New York residents would receive healthcare coverage through a single, publicly funded plan rather than through a mix of private insurance companies, employer-sponsored plans, and government programs like Medicaid and Medicare.

2. Why is the New York Health Act being proposed?

• The right to healthcare: The bill states that all state residents have the right to healthcare.

• Affordability: Many New Yorkers struggle to afford healthcare, even with insurance, due to high premiums, deductibles, and co-pays.

• Gaps in coverage: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) helped, but many New Yorkers remain uninsured or underinsured.

• Financial hardship: People face financial obstacles in getting healthcare.

• Rising costs: Healthcare costs are increasing for individuals, employers, and the state.

• Provider challenges: Hospitals and healthcare providers face financial losses due to uncompensated care and low reimbursement rates from Medicaid and Medicare.

• Choice restrictions: Individuals are deprived of affordable care and choice because of the health plan's economic interests rather than the individual's health care needs.

3. What problem does the New York Health Act address?

The New York Health Act aims to solve these problems by:

• Ensuring universal healthcare coverage for all New York residents.

•  Eliminating premiums, deductibles, and co-pays.

• Controlling healthcare costs through a single-payer system.

• Improving access to care and health outcomes.

Please open the bill memos tab and select the New York Health Act subsection for more information. 

1. What is the Public University Emergency Contraception Education Act?

This bill aims to ensure that all colleges and universities within the State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY) systems provide information about emergency contraception to their students.

2. Why is this bill being proposed?

• The legislature finds that access to emergency contraception is a basic measure to prevent unwanted pregnancies among college students.

• Emergency contraception is deemed safe and effective by the FDA.

• The sooner emergency contraception is administered, the better the chance of preventing an unwanted pregnancy.

3. What problem does this bill address?

• Lack of awareness and information about emergency contraception among college students.

• Potential for unwanted pregnancies due to this lack of awareness.

Please open the bill memos tab and select the Public University Emergency... subsection for more information.