Albany, NY – Assemblymember Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale) released the following statement in reaction to the State Senate passing the Child-Parent Security Act (S. 2071B/A. 1071C). Assemblymember Paulin is the sponsor of the bill in the Assembly.

“I am grateful for the efforts of my Senate partner, Brad Hoylman, the leadership of Governor Cuomo, and the passionate and personal advocacy of so many new parents and champions of LGBTQ rights, including Bravo’s Andy Cohen who is in Albany today to support the bill.

“It's not enough for New York to catch up to where other states have been in terms of allowing same-sex and infertile couples to start their families through gestational surrogacy agreements. What we have proposed is the strongest possible law to protect parents, children, and surrogates. Our bill directly addresses the thorny legal questions that have frustrated New Yorkers dealing with out-of-state surrogacy arrangements and that have left either parents or surrogates with inadequate legal protection. Specifically, we’ve created a strong framework that amounts to a Surrogate’s Bill of Rights, including requirements for life insurance, coverage of healthcare costs for up to 26 weeks post-birth, providing an independent attorney to safeguard her through the process, and ensuring that all health and welfare decisions are made by the surrogate.

“No matter who you are or who you love, the promise of being able to marry your soul-mate and start a family with him or her is an indelible part of the American Dream. I am hopeful my colleagues in the Assembly will likewise make a step forward this year to help both same-sex families and heterosexual families struggling with infertility by passing the Child Parent Security Act.”