NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The New York City Council passed a sweeping package of bills to expand abortion and reproductive care rights on Thursday.
The New York City Abortion Rights Act included bills to guarantee the availability of free abortion pills at city health clinics and to allow people seeking abortions from out of state to safely do so.
“In New York City, we firmly believe that safe access to reproductive healthcare is a human right,” said Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The NYC Abortion Rights Act is an unprecedented legislative package that will safeguard and expand abortion and reproductive healthcare for residents and those who come to our city seeking support.”
The legislation passed 41 to 7 — a supermajority that could override Mayor Eric Adams veto if he decided not to sign the bills.
The no votes were cast by all five Council Republicans and two conservative Democrats.
The Republicans are Joann Ariola, Joe Borelli, David Carr, Vickie Paladino and Inna Vernikov. The Democrats are Bob Holden and Kalman Yeger.
The legislation was introduced in response to the Supreme Court’s decision last month to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that enshrined abortion rights in the U.S.
“It is going to take an immense groundswell of action to get what we really need, the guaranteed right to a safe, legal abortion, on demand, without apology, and at no dollar cost, for anyone who determines that they need one," said Councilmember Tiffany Cabán. "I am proud that so many of my colleagues have risen to this occasion and crafted a wide array of legislation to counteract the illegitimate extremist Supreme Court's attack on all people who can get pregnant.”
Aside from the requirement to make free abortion pills accessible at city health clinics, the package included legislation that codifies New York City’s role as a safe harbor for abortion care.
It would block the city from cooperating with out-of-state entities seeking information on abortions that took place in the city. It would prohibit city agencies from detaining anyone for seeking an abortion — preventing police from arresting someone for another state’s abortion laws.
Another bill would task the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene with assessing the ability of city health care providers to give abortions and then making recommendations to improve their capacity if necessary.
“This package of bills is a message to all people that if you need an abortion, New York City is here to help,” said Councilmember Shahana Hanif. “Our City will always be a refuge for anyone who needs access to safe and legal abortions no matter what the illegitimate Supreme Court says.”
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