The Senate State of New York

independent DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE

MEMORANDUM
TO: All Senate Colleagues FROM: Senator Diane Savino, Majority Coalition Co-Leader Jeffrey D. Klein, Senator David Carlucci & Senator David Valesky DATE: RE: June 20, 2013 Co-sponsorship of S. 5881

____________________________________________________________________________ Attached, please see a bill that we sponsor to protect a woman's freedom of choice. As you may know, this bill aligns state law with existing federal law. In Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), the United States Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Constitution protects a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy when necessary to protect the health and life of the woman. However, since New York codified a womans right to choose prior to the Roe v. Wade decision, our states current laws do not reflect the full extent of privacy protections presently afforded under federal law. This bill would not change or alter existing state and federal laws allowing a health care provider or institution to refrain from providing an abortion for religious or moral beliefs, nor would it expand the class of individuals permitted to perform an abortion. Finally, this bill would not alter the current and longstanding criminal ban on partial birth abortion. The exclusive impact of this legislation will be to codify, in state law, the constitutional rights of every woman as articulated under Roe v. Wade. With the current legislative session drawing to a close, your support of this legislation is critical to its success. If you would like to co-sponsor this legislation, or have any questions regarding it, please contact Senator Savinos office at (518) 455-2437. If you support this legislation, as well as a womans right to choose under Roe v. Wade, we respectfully ask for your support by 6 p.m. tonight.

The Senate State of New York

Thank you for your consideration.

independent DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE