Assembly approves study of 'limited‑service' pregnancy centers after heated debate

Assemblymember Glick, the bill’s sponsor, led passage of legislation authorizing the New York State Department of Health to study the operations and prevalence of “limited‑service pregnancy centers” and report back to the Legislature. The floor debate grew tense as opponents said the measure would unfairly target faith‑based counseling organizations and impose burdensome reporting requirements.

Supporters said the study is a narrowly tailored fact‑finding effort. “We have a great deal of anecdotal information that people were led to expect medical services and were not provided with licensed medical care,” Miss Glick said, arguing the Department needs objective data to decide whether policy changes are needed.

Opponents, including several members who identified as pro‑life, said the bill’s reporting requirements and the composition of the proposed nine‑member task force (appointments drawn from majority leaders and the governor’s office as written) risk silencing alternative viewpoints and could drive small organizations out of operation. “This bill will simply hurt the options of the women in our state,” a member opposing the bill said on the floor.

The sponsor, repeatedly pressed on the record for specifics, said the measure is a study only and does not itself change how any organization provides services. She said the Department will compile demographic and operational data and the task force will review the aggregated results and make recommendations. Several members requested and the sponsor said she would consider amendments to include broader stakeholder representation if needed.

The Assembly recorded the vote as Ayes 104, Noes 42. The bill passed and will advance to the next legislative steps for implementation and oversight by the Department of Health.