New York Senate Bill S02692

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/25
• Refer: 1/22/25

Caption

Requires limited services pregnancy centers to disclose to clients that they do not have a licensed medical provider on staff who provides or supervises reproductive health services at such center; requires such disclosure to be provided in writing and orally, and to be available in English and Spanish; provides for reporting of violations; provides penalties for violations.

Summary

S02692 would require limited services pregnancy centers in New York to tell clients that they do not have a licensed medical provider on staff who provides or directly supervises reproductive health services. The bill defines these centers as facilities whose primary purpose is serving people who are or may be pregnant, but that are not licensed health care facilities or operating under the direction of a licensed provider, and that do not provide or refer for the full range of comprehensive reproductive and sexual health services covered by Medicaid, including contraception, STI testing and treatment, abortion care, and prenatal care. The disclosure would have to be given both in writing and orally. Written notices would need to be posted in English and Spanish at the entrance and in waiting areas, in a form prescribed by the commissioner, and oral disclosure would be required at first contact with a client or potential client. The bill also creates a complaint process through the Department of Health and authorizes civil penalties for violations, starting at $200 for a first offense and increasing to up to $2,500 for repeat violations.

Impact

The bill would add a new section 2509-e to the Public Health Law and impose new disclosure, posting, and reporting obligations on limited services pregnancy centers. It would also authorize the Department of Health to investigate complaints and assess civil fines, thereby creating a state enforcement mechanism aimed at centers that do not provide comprehensive reproductive health services or that may be perceived as medical providers without licensed staff. The measure would affect pregnancy resource centers, crisis pregnancy centers, and similar facilities, especially those offering counseling related to pregnancy, abortion, contraception, or prenatal care.

Sentiment

The bill text reflects strong support for reproductive health access and a clear concern that some limited services pregnancy centers mislead clients about the nature of the services they provide. No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no recorded legislative debate or roll-call sentiment in the materials supplied. Based on the bill’s findings and intent section, the sponsor’s position is that transparency is necessary to protect pregnant New Yorkers from delay, confusion, and loss of access to time-sensitive care.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely to be whether the bill appropriately regulates deceptive practices or instead burdens centers that provide counseling from a religious or ideological perspective. Supporters would emphasize informed consent, transparency, and timely access to emergency contraception, prenatal care, and abortion services, while opponents may argue that the disclosure requirement singles out pro-life or faith-based pregnancy centers and could chill their speech or operations. The bill’s definition of covered centers and its penalties for noncompliance are the most likely areas of dispute.