Over the weekend Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new law that makes New York a “safe haven” for the trans community by ensuring the state will protect trans youth, their parents, and their doctors and another law that protects their right to receive addiction treatment and rehabilitation. The Governor also signed three new laws that update legal documents in New York to remove outdated and stigmatizing terminology.
“As the birthplace of the modern movement for LGBTQ+ rights, New York is proud to protect, defend and affirm our LGBTQ+ community,” Governor Hochul said. “From Stonewall to Marriage Equality to GENDA, New Yorkers have been on the forefront of the fight for equal rights. Now, as other states target LGBTQ+ people with bigotry and fearmongering, New York is fighting back. These new laws will enshrine our state as a beacon of hope, a safe haven for trans youth and their families, and ensure we continue to lead the nation on LGBTQ+ rights.”
S.2475-B/A.6046-B amends the family court act, the executive law, the civil practice law and rules, the criminal procedure law, the education law, the public health law and the insurance law, to prohibit the following: the consideration of a law of another state that authorizes a child to be removed from their parent or guardian based on the parent or guardian allowing their child to receive gender-affirming care in custody cases, law enforcement agencies from cooperating with or providing information to any individual or out-of-state agency or department regarding the provision of lawful gender-affirming care performed in this state, the issuance of a subpoena in connection with certain out-of-state proceedings relating to seeking health or related information about people who come to New York to receive gender-affirming care, and the arrest of a person for performing or aiding in the lawful performance of gender-affirming care within this state
S.993-A/A.4903 amends the mental hygiene law to require the Office of Addiction Services and Supports to assure that persons who suffer from a substance use disorder have the right to seek and receive addiction services, care, treatment and rehabilitation services based on the individual’s gender identity, gender expression and/or sexual orientation.
S.2442/A.7367 amends the executive law to remove outdated and stigmatizing statutory language from the definition of “sexual orientation” in New York’s Human Rights Law. It strikes the phrase “However, nothing contained herein shall be construed to protect conduct otherwise proscribed by law” from the definition of “sexual orientation,” and therefor reads, “The term “sexual orientation” means heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality or asexuality, whether actual or perceived.”
A.1142/ S.155 amends the general construction law to require that gender-neutral terms be used in any law, rule, regulation or resolution, including but not limited to “they,” “them” and “theirs.” If a law, rule, regulation or resolution is in reference to a specific person, the language referring to such person shall be gendered in accordance with the gender identity of such person.
A.1371-A/ S.208-A amends the State Technology Law to call for state agencies to use gender neutral terminology on their websites. The language may be gendered if it is in relation to a specific person or a specific group of people, in accordance with the gender identity of such person or group.
