Known as the "Boss Bill," this measure would prohibit employers from accessing an employee's personal information regarding reproductive health or imposing any requirements that would obstruct an employee's ability to exercise their right to make these decisions and access related medical services.
This legislation has been passed by the state Assembly in recent years, but efforts to gain the support of the state Senate have not yet been successful, Assemblywoman Jenne noted.
"This bill takes on even more importance this year as changes at the federal level, including the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act, threaten the positive strides that have been made to give women the right to make their own health care decisions and reproductive care choices," she said.
"This legislation is aimed at making sure women in New York State have control over their own bodies and health care decisions without government or their employer attacking their constitutional rights," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
"Unfortunately, actions being taken in other states show that it’s necessary to stand up and take steps to ensure women in New York State remain in control of their reproductive choices. I will continue to fight to make sure women in the North Country and around the state maintain their constitutional rights to privacy and freedom over their reproductive health choices," she said.
The bill would also take steps to ensure that employees are notified of their right to freely exercise their reproductive health choices and provides for remedies and penalties for employers who violate these rights.
"Women in New York State need to know that there are laws in place to guarantee that an employer cannot retaliate against them because they or their dependent accessed care related to pregnancy, family planning or any reproductive health service," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
Despite the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, women face numerous challenges in exercising their constitutionally protected right to make reproductive health decisions over their own bodies.
The most recent efforts to block this cornerstone of women's equality have sought to limit access to the health services and contraceptive devices that women and families have come to rely on for family planning needs. By prohibiting workplace discrimination and outlawing retaliation against employees, this legislation would continue New York's commitment to defending reproductive choice.