NYS legislature voting on reproductive and maternal health care legislation

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--51 years ago, The Supreme Court issued its decision in Roe V. Wade. That decision has since been overturned. On Monday, the New York State Legislature voted on bills regarding reproductive rights and maternal health care.

Abortion remains in legal in New York State, and Democrats want to keep it that way.

"We want to preserve choice for women," said Senator Cordell Cleare. "We want to make sure that women can get access and not set ourselves back."

The state Senate voting on a package of reproductive and maternal health care legislation. One bill would establish a grant program to fund abortion providers in New York. Another would change how and when mental health screenings are given to new moms.

"This bill will make it easier for mothers to receive the screenings by empowering providers to administer these questionnaires more often, including at well child visits," explained Senator Samra Brouk.

She said it will help identify and treat conditions such as postpartum depression. This bill is also included in the Assembly’s Maternal Health Care Legislative Package that will be voted on over the next three days.

Both houses will also bring to the floor legislation allowing doulas to be present in the operating room when C-sections are taking place.

"We want to see women that are pregnant to stay healthy, and be able to deliver to term," said Republican Assemblymember, Mary Beth Walsh. "Things like making sure that doulas, which weren’t around when I was having my kids 25-30 years ago, but that doulas provide important services for pregnant women--- women who are delivering. So things like that, there’s going to be wide support for them."

Last year, the Equal Rights Amendment passed in the state legislature for the the second time, allowing it to be on the ballot in November.

"New Yorkers will get the opportunity to codify abortion in our state constitution and afford equal protection from discrimination to women, the LGBTQ+ community and many, many more New Yorkers," said Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins.