Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Hochul signs laws to expand abortion protections in NY with Supreme Court decision looming
By
Caroline Lewis
Published Jun 13, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Caroline Lewis
Published Jun 13, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A large crowd looked on Monday as Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a package of legislation that expands legal protections for people seeking and performing abortions in New York.
The governor and state legislators have rushed to strengthen access to abortion in the state as the Supreme Court appears poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, the case that established a constitutional right to get the medical procedure in 1973. A draft opinion reversing Roe was leaked in May and the Supreme Court’s final ruling could be released sometime this month or early July.
In the past, Hochul said, those who talked about Roe v. Wade being overturned may have sounded like Chicken Little saying the sky was falling, but she emphasized that now that could be a reality.
“The sky is on the verge of falling literally in the next week or two,” Hochul said at the event at Cooper Union in Manhattan where she signed the laws. “That is a very real possibility and that’s why we’re here today.”
Hochul signed six pieces of legislation in all. They seek to address both criminal charges and civil lawsuits that people providing, assisting with and seeking abortions in New York could face if Roe v. Wade is overturned.
One of the laws enacted Monday will prevent both abortion providers and out-of-state residents seeking abortions in New York from being extradited to other states where the procedure is banned or restricted. It also prohibits courts from issuing subpoenas in most abortion cases and blocks law enforcement from assisting with out-of-state investigations into abortions. Another measure makes it possible for someone to file a civil suit if anyone tries to interfere with or take legal action against them for exercising rights that are protected in New York.
Under the new legislation, state health commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett and her department will study the impact of “limited service pregnancy centers,” which don’t inform pregnant people of their full range of options.
Abortion is likely to be banned or severely restricted in about half of the U.S. if Roe is overturned, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
Speaking about the possibility of a woman being “wanted” in another state for getting an abortion, Hochul said, “This is how scary this gets. This is not some futuristic film or book.”
Other measures signed Monday will shield abortion providers from malpractice claims and professional misconduct charges. Under another law, the state will create a program, to be administered by New York’s Secretary of State, that will help those who might be targeted by anti-abortion activists to hide their addresses.
A final piece of legislation directs the state health commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett to study the impact of “limited service pregnancy centers,” which don’t inform pregnant people of their full range of options.
Bassett, legislative leaders and other state officials who spoke at the event took the opportunity to remind people of the dangers those in states without abortion access could face.
“When safe abortion is stripped away, it doesn’t stop abortions. It never has,” Bassett said. “But abortions become more deadly and dangerous and access to safe abortion will be filtered through the inequities in our society.”
In anticipation of more people traveling to New York from other states for abortions, Hochul has also established a $35 million fund to assist clinics that provide abortions with any uncompensated costs and to help them improve their security.
Tagged
legislation
law
new york
abortion
Kathy Hochul
Caroline Lewis
Caroline Lewis is on the health care beat for WNYC and Gothamist. She has covered COVID, a nurses' strike, the overdose crisis and New York’s marijuana legalization effort, and spent a year investigating patients' medical bills. She always wants to hear about how everyday New Yorkers experience the health system. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .