New York Senate Bill S09634

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/31/26
• Refer: 3/31/26

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

S09634 would amend the New York Public Health Law to require “limited services pregnancy centers” to disclose to clients that they do not have a licensed medical provider on staff who provides or directly supervises all reproductive health services at the center. The bill defines these centers broadly to include facilities, including mobile facilities, whose primary purpose is to serve pregnant or potentially pregnant clients but that are not licensed health care facilities and do not provide or refer for the full range of comprehensive reproductive and sexual health services reimbursed by Medicaid, such as contraception, STI testing and treatment, abortion care, and prenatal care. The required disclosure would have to be given both in writing and orally. Written notices would need to be in English and Spanish, posted at the entrance and in waiting areas, and be in a form prescribed by the commissioner. Oral disclosure would need to occur at first contact with a client or potential client and be reasonably understandable. The bill also creates a complaint process through the Department of Health and authorizes civil fines for violations, with higher penalties for repeat offenses. It would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would add a new section 2509-e to the Public Health Law and impose new disclosure, posting, and complaint-handling requirements on limited services pregnancy centers in New York. It would also create civil enforcement penalties ranging from $200 to $1,000 for a first violation and $500 to $2,500 for subsequent violations, thereby giving the Department of Health a role in investigating complaints and enforcing compliance. The measure would affect pregnancy centers that do not provide comprehensive reproductive health services and would likely require operational changes in signage, intake procedures, and client communications.

Sentiment

The bill’s stated purpose and the surrounding context indicate strong support for ensuring that pregnant people receive timely, accurate, and non-misleading information about reproductive health care options. The findings section frames the measure as protecting reproductive autonomy and preventing delays that could affect access to emergency contraception, prenatal care, or abortion. No committee transcript or vote data is available, so there is no recorded legislative debate or roll-call sentiment in the provided materials.

Contention

The central point of contention is likely to be the regulation of limited services pregnancy centers, often described in the bill as ideologically opposed to abortion and other comprehensive reproductive health services. Supporters would view the disclosure requirement as a consumer-protection and informed-consent measure aimed at preventing deception and confusion about whether clients are receiving care from licensed medical professionals. Opponents may argue that the bill targets faith-based or anti-abortion centers, burdens speech and operations, or interferes with organizations that provide counseling rather than medical treatment. The bill’s broad definition of covered centers and its mandatory oral and written disclosures are the most likely areas of dispute.