Sweeping NYC Abortion Access, Protection Bills Signed Into Law

NEW YORK CITY — A sweeping set of new laws will further position New York City as a safe haven for abortion access as states enact bans on the procedure, Mayor Eric Adams said.

Adams on Friday signed six bills into law designed to protect access to safe and affordable abortions in the city.

Flanked by Council members who helped craft the bills, the mayor called the recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade a "direct attack on women in this country."

"Safe, legal abortions are cornerstones of public health and in New York City, they always will be," he said. "We will always support those coming here to access these rights.

"This city is sending a loud and clear message across the country: if your states do not respect your rights, New Yorkers will."

The laws include a measure that requires no-cost abortion pills to be available at city health clinics.

Other laws allow civil lawsuits against entities that interfere with medical care, prohibit the use of city resources to enforce abortion restrictions and require the city to state public education campaign about the protections for reproductive health care.

The signing ceremony included Council Members Tiffany Caban, Amanda Farias, Rita Joseph, Carlina Rivera and Lynn Schulman, as well as Speaker Adrienne Adams.