RELEASES: Hochul bill signing expanding abortion shield law for doctors facing prosecution in other states. Releases, transcripts from press conference, appearances on ABC and CNN, Youtube video. NYSNYS News
For Immediate Release: 2/3/2025
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL
PROTECTING REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM: GOVERNOR HOCHUL SIGNS LEGISLATION AFFIRMING NEW YORK’S STATUS AS A SAFE HAVEN FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE
Legislation S.36A/A.2145A Allows Providers Prescribing Medications Used To Perform Abortions To Print Their Practice’s Name on the Label Rather Than Their Own
Continues Governor’s Commitment To Safeguard Abortion Rights and Protect Reproductive Health Care Providers and Patients
Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation to enable providers who prescribe medications used to perform abortions to request that the dispensing pharmacy print the name of their practice on prescription labels instead of their personal name. Despite attacks on reproductive rights from other states and the federal government, Governor Hochul affirmed her commitment that New York will remain a safe harbor for anyone seeking or providing reproductive health care.
“Reproductive freedom will always be protected in the State of New York — and I’ll never back down from this fight,” Governor Hochul said. “I’m taking action to strengthen protections for health care professionals and their patients, ensuring New York is a safe haven for anyone providing or receiving reproductive care. At a time when fundamental rights are under attack across the country, we are doubling down on our commitment to safeguard access to reproductive health care and defend those on the frontlines of this battle.”
Protecting the Privacy of Providers and Strengthening New York’s Shield Law
Following the Supreme Court’s troubling decision to overturn the constitutional right to abortion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in June 2022, various states across the nation have taken steps to limit access to abortion services. As of October 2024, 21 states enacted laws that impose greater restrictions than those previously allowed under Roe v. Wade. Among these, 13 states effectively implemented a complete ban, while another four states prohibited abortions after six weeks — a time when many women may not even realize they are pregnant. Over half of women aged 18-49 live in states with some form of abortion restrictions.
Legislation S.36A/A.2145A enhances New York’s shield law by offering additional protections for doctors prescribing medications used to perform abortions to patients in hostile states. This bill would allow prescribers to ask that the dispensing pharmacy print the name of their practice instead of their personal names on the prescription labels for mifepristone, misoprostol and generic alternatives. Governor Hochul reached an agreement with the Legislature to further strengthen these protections. The new measure allows providers to request that their practice address be listed instead, requires notice to the patient, and ensures that pharmacies assist with this protective measure.
Medication abortion has emerged as a crucial option for many individuals seeking abortions in states with hostile laws. In 2023, Governor Hochul signed legislation enacting a telehealth shield law (Chapter 138 of the laws of 2023), designed to provide extensive protection for New York-based doctors serving patients in those restrictive states through telehealth. This legislation safeguards health care practitioners in New York from states that may attempt to impose criminal penalties on them and offers protection from professional disciplinary actions or adverse decisions from medical malpractice insurers.
Thanks to New York’s shield law, providers in the State can provide medication used to treat abortion to patients in hostile states, assisting women who might otherwise struggle to access abortion care. Research from the Society for Family Planning indicates that one in five abortions conducted in December 2023 were via telehealth, with an estimated 48 percent of these procedures performed by doctors in states with shield laws like New York’s.
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “This bill is a direct response to the growing attacks on reproductive rights nationwide. While other states escalate efforts to criminalize abortion, New York stands firm. We will not allow anti-abortion extremists to intimidate providers or block access to care. I want to thank Senator Mayer for sponsoring this bill and Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to reproductive justice. Together, we’re sending a clear message: New York will continue to fight against those who seek to criminalize abortion and will stand firm for everyone’s right to make decisions about their own body and future.”
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “These laws provide critical protections to our doctors and secure New York’s status as a sanctuary for women seeking access to reproductive care. The Assembly Majority is committed to fighting for a future where women can control their own healthcare decisions without the senseless intrusion of politics. We will continue to work with our state partners to ensure that our healthcare professionals have the legal protections they need to provide care to women across the country.”
State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “Today, we take another step to keep New York State in the national leadership in the fight to protect abortion rights. With Governor Hochul’s signature, the bill I sponsored, along with Assemblymember Karines Reyes, R.N., will help strengthen New York’s existing telehealth shield law, providing additional protection to the New York doctors who are helping women in hostile states access abortion. The threats to these doctors are no longer abstract as officials in these states have attacked New York physicians and our laws. This legislation represents a renewal of our commitment to women nationwide and the brave doctors who provide them essential health care. Thank you to Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for your continued leadership on this key issue, and deepest thanks to Governor Hochul for signing this critical, life-saving legislation into law. Most importantly, I want to thank the providers whose service reminds us that we can never back down in a fight for our rights.”
Assemblymember Karines Reyes said, “As our country's women and pregnant persons face the draconian policies of the new Trump Administration in the post-Dobbs landscape, creative solutions are required to achieve reproductive justice. I am honored to join my colleague, Senator Shelly Mayer, in celebrating the passage and enactment of legislation that will enhance our state's existing abortion telemedicine law by better protecting physicians from personal prosecution and allowing the medical practices to be listed as the requesting entity for prescriptions. This will ensure that as states continue to wrongly exhibit hostility toward women and pregnant persons in our society, New York State will be a leader in promoting personal freedom and access to quality health care. I am thankful that Governor Hochul will take the bold step, as our state’s first woman Governor and mother in the role, to sign this pivotal legislation into law.”
Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State Commitment to Protecting Reproductive Rights and Access to Abortion
Sustaining the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Fund
The Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Fund was created by Governor Hochul in May 2022 to enhance abortion access and was codified in the State Fiscal Year 2025 budget. This initiative addresses the need for expanded reproductive health care services in New York. The fund has supported reproductive health providers and critical support programs to ensure equitable access to abortion care across the State. This year, Governor Hochul will distribute $25 million in funding for the program, with a focus on strengthening access to comprehensive reproductive care for all New Yorkers.
Fairly Reimbursing Providers for Abortion Services
For many years, reproductive health providers have not received funding that is adequate to cover the full costs of medication abortion care and other abortion services. As a result, too many providers have been under immense financial pressures while trying to accomplish their mission of providing safe and accessible abortion care to individuals across the State. Governor Hochul will provide a new flexible funding stream of $20 million to allow providers to better adapt to this possible impact of the incoming federal administration and ensure that these providers are fairly reimbursed for providing abortions.
Strengthening Reproductive Health Care Infrastructure
Many reproductive health care facilities in New York are in need of critical infrastructure updates in order to provide the full range of comprehensive services. Building on New York's investment in reproductive health providers through the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Fund and security grant funding, Governor Hochul will expand the funding to support critical capital investments for providers. These funds will enable renovations, equipment upgrades, planning and construction to help facilities modernize and secure their operations. This action aims to ensure a broader network of providers can deliver high-quality reproductive health care to all New Yorkers.
Safeguarding Abortion as Emergency Medical Care
The federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act mandates that hospitals provide stabilizing care for patients with emergency medical conditions, regardless of their ability to pay. However, abortion is not explicitly defined as emergency medical care under New York law. Governor Hochul has prioritized protecting reproductive rights and ensuring equitable access to care. To address this gap, she will codify abortion as protected emergency medical care in New York State and require hospitals to provide this stabilizing emergency medical care, reinforcing access to abortion services when medically necessary.
State Senator Liz Krueger said, “Every step we take to protect abortion access in New York is critical, and I’m glad to see Governor Hochul signing this legislation to strengthen our Shield Law and protect providers delivering critical healthcare. But there is more work to be done, including signing health data privacy legislation and providing funding to expand training for more abortion providers.”
State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “Healthcare is being criminalized in real time, and our medical professionals are being targeted, their lives and futures at risk simply for doing their jobs. The State of New York will not stand for it. We are a safe haven for reproductive freedom, and we will always fight to protect our healthcare providers and ensure that our most vulnerable neighbors can access the care they need—no matter the attacks we face from states trying to strip away these rights. I thank Governor Hochul for her steady leadership and Senator Shelley Mayer for sponsoring this vital legislation to safeguard the privacy of New York's healthcare providers.”
State Senator Lea Webb said, “As Chair of the Women’s Issues Committee, I am proud to continue championing legislation that protects the rights and safety of those providing and accessing reproductive healthcare. This legislation is a critical step in ensuring privacy and security for healthcare providers, allowing them to continue their essential work without fear. I stand with Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Attorney General James, Senator Mayer and all my colleagues in support of our medical providers and their efforts to ensure that medication abortion— which is safe and effective — is available to all who need it.”
Assemblymember Amy Paulin said, “I thank Governor Hochul for her actions today, which reaffirm her steadfast commitment to make New York State a safe haven for reproductive freedom and care. Although women around the country are facing tremendous obstacles in accessing abortion care, Governor Hochul embodies New York’s resolve to fight back against these continued attacks on reproductive freedom.”
Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal said, “While the Trump administration and some hostile states wage a war on women and their bodies, New York State will remain a safe haven for those seeking or providing reproductive health care. Nearly three years ago, my bills to protect medical providers against professional misconduct charges and adverse medical malpractice actions for providing reproductive healthcare became law. However, as we've seen, there is no end to the efforts of those who want to end a woman's right to bodily autonomy. I thank Governor Hochul for signing into law today another measure that will shield medical providers and preserve access to medication abortion drugs. I look forward to further efforts to protect patients and providers, ensure fair reimbursement and protect the privacy of those seeking care.”
Assemblymember Catalina Cruz said, “In the face of relentless attacks on reproductive rights, New York is standing strong as a safe haven for both patients and providers,” said Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz. “By allowing prescribers to shield their personal information on medication abortion labels, this legislation ensures that those who provide essential reproductive health care can continue to do so without fear of harassment or retaliation. I commend Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to protecting reproductive freedom and ensuring that no one in New York is forced to choose between providing care and their own safety. I also congratulate Assemblymember Karines Reyes and Senator Shelley Mayer for their leadership in sponsoring this crucial legislation and for their continued dedication to protecting access to reproductive health care in our state.”
Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas said, “The Trump administration has already proven it will be an incredibly hostile White House to our reproductive health and freedom. We must use every tool in our toolbox and outside of it to combat this rise of fascism. We cannot go back. I thank Governor Hochul for her decisive action to protect our abortion providers and sustaining the funding for the Reproductive Freedom and Equity grant program we codified into law last year. This new wave of assaults will require us to be flexible but bold in our resistance. Whether it's reproductive healthcare or gender-affirming care New York must and will lead.”
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For Immediate Release: 2/3/2025
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL
VIDEO, AUDIO, PHOTOS & RUSH TRANSCRIPT: PROTECTING REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM: GOVERNOR HOCHUL SIGNS LEGISLATION AFFIRMING NEW YORK’S STATUS AS A SAFE HAVEN FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE
Governor Hochul: “We legalized the right to an abortion three years before Roe v. Wade. Again, ahead of our time. We’ll honor that legacy and that mantle of responsibility that is conferred on every one of us to do what we can to protect the women of our state, and where possible, protect those women in other states. We'll continue to be that beacon of hope. We'll always stand up because that's who we are. We fought this battle before. We shouldn't have to fight it again, but we will.”
Hochul: “Going forward, when a doctor, a provider, prescribes an FDA approved medication, like Mifepristone and Misoprostol to terminate a pregnancy, they're going to simply have the name of the health care practice on the label, rather than the name of the provider. This matters. This is one step — we can protect our doctors. But I want to go even further and protect doctors even more. That's why I'm announcing we’ve secured an agreement with the Legislature, that I'm hoping they will pass immediately, to ensure that pharmacies will adhere to these new labeling rules and make sure that they just include the practice address instead of the name of the practice at the request of the provider, if the provider wants that.”
Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to enable providers who prescribe medications used to perform abortions to request that the dispensing pharmacy print the name of their practice on prescription labels instead of their personal name. Despite attacks on reproductive rights from other states and the federal government, Governor Hochul affirmed her commitment that New York will remain a safe harbor for anyone seeking or providing reproductive health care.
VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).
AUDIO: The Governor's remarks are available in audio form here.
PHOTOS: The Governor's Flickr page will have photos of the event available here.
A rush transcript of the Governor's remarks is available below:
Good morning. It's been over two long years since the women of this country lost their constitutionally protected right to an abortion. The day Roe v. Wade was overturned, was surely a dark day in our nation's history. With an administration, the Trump administration, in Washington that has been antagonistic to women's rights, reproductive freedoms and health care providers. We're now witnessing, in real time, the consequences of that Trump Supreme Court and their decision, and now the collateral damage is so apparent. We used to take the right to an abortion for granted. But with the stroke of a pen, six individuals out of a population of more than 330 million decided to strip women of a right, a fundamental human right, the right to have access to an abortion, and in so doing, endangered the lives of millions of Americans.
As I said, “The damage now is real.” You think back, who wasn't moved, deeply moved, by the tragic story of Kate Cox, a young mother in Texas who was denied a life saving abortion and had to leave the state that she loved in order to get the care she needed? Without an abortion, she might never be able to bear children again. She wanted to be a mom, but things went wrong, and her state would not help her. There are countless heart wrenching stories of women who are denied reproductive health care. But it goes even deeper. Our own doctors are vulnerable in the post Roe v. Wade America.
That's why we're gathered here today with so many champions of women's rights. I want to thank all of them, all of our leaders who've come from the Legislature, our Assemblymembers, our Senators. I want to thank our speakers here today and our sponsor of the bill we're talking about, Senator Shelley Mayer. A tremendous champion. I want to thank her for her leadership on sponsoring this bill. Assemblymember Karines Reyes. Assemblymember, also the Co-chair of the New York State Bipartisan Pro Choice Legislative Caucus. I want to thank them. Also, Senator Liz Krueger, the other Co-chair of the Bipartisan Pro Choice Legislative Caucus. You'll also be hearing from Senator Michelle Hinchey, who has a personal connection to the doctor we'll be talking about today. And Julie Kay, thank you so much the Founder and Executive Director of the Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine.
Again, all of our legislators are here today and I thank you for moving so quickly. Lawmakers in other states moved quickly as well in the aftermath of Roe v. Wade, but what they did was they enacted more abortion restrictions. As soon as they were given that power, they couldn't wait to get back to their state legislatures and strip women of these rights, that had been something all of our lives we had known, especially the younger women – they knew nothing else but to have this right. And in other states, they didn't just pass these laws, they encouraged their citizens to turn on each other – report patients seeking care, but also the medical providers who assisted them.
In 2023, an Indiana doctor provided an abortion to a 10-year-old. A child was reprimanded, threatened, intimidated. And clinics have been set on fire and vandalized. Doctors have been stalked, some receiving death threats. And in deeply conservative states, they weaponized the courts against providers, in state and out.
And now we know they've tried to strip New York doctors of their medical licenses, sue them, throw them in jail, and even charge them with murder. I knew that swift action was required, that's why 11 days before the Dobbs decision, because the memo had been leaked, before the Dobbs decision in June of 2022, I stepped up, working with the Leaders behind me to sign a suite of bills, including SHIELD laws to protect doctors who treat out of state patients. Clearly stating that we will not cooperate with other states' lawsuits or criminal actions against them.
A year later, we went even further with the SHIELD law protecting doctors who provide abortion services via telemedicine. As other states turn to the dark ages, New York remains committed to being the light, a beacon for reproductive freedom. Providing abortion care by telehealth or mail can be a life saving intervention for people living in states where their most basic right to control their own bodies is denied. But Republicans' attacks on women's rights and reproductive health has not stopped.
Indeed now, with this new administration – they’re even more emboldened. So emboldened on Friday, a grand jury in Louisiana indicted a New York doctor for providing FDA approved medication. Abortion medication through the mail. Now this doctor simply responded to a cry for help. And in return, now faces a felony charge that subjects an individual to a prison term of up to five years. And fines as high as $50,000. Think about that. Five years in prison simply because you upheld your oath and delivered medical care. I immediately promised I would do everything I can to protect this doctor and others who provide such care to American women wherever they live.
I must stand up and protect our doctors, and our doctors have this right to do this.
I basically said, “There's no way in hell – they'll ever respond to a request to extradite this individual and face criminal charges.” Never, under any circumstances will I sign an extradition agreement that sends our doctor into harm's way to be prosecuted as a criminal for simply following her oath. I will.
Let's say it together. We will not now, not ever. Not now, not ever.
And you know how they found this doctor? The doctor's name was on the prescription bottle. The doctor’s name was on the prescription bottle. That's what they were looking for to identify this individual. After today, that will no longer happen. I'm about to sign another bill into law, introduced by our sponsors, that'll further protect New York brave providers.
Going forward, when a doctor, a provider prescribes an FDA approved medication, like Mifepristone and Misoprostol to terminate a pregnancy, they're going to simply have the name of the health care practice on the label, rather than the name of the provider. This matters. This is one step — we can protect our doctors. But I want to go even further and protect doctors even more.
That's why I'm announcing we’ve secured an agreement with the Legislature, that I'm hoping they will pass immediately, to ensure that pharmacies will adhere to these new labeling rules and make sure that they just include the practice address instead of the name of the practice at the request of the provider, if the provider wants that. Trying to have another level of protection for these doctors who are out there on the front lines, doing what they know is right, what they were trained to do. We must be there to support them. We must be their allies. We must be their army to protect them.
We're also requiring that notice be given to the patient that alternative labeling will be used. Other states, they want to target, harass, scare, intimidate doctors and patients. Now that may be okay in a place like Louisiana, maybe Indiana, but those are not our values here in the State of New York. No.
New Yorkers have always shown the way, the way for other paths forward. Even when other states turn away from progress and embrace a dark past, we press on. You know why? Because we are so proud that the women’s rights movement was founded here in our state. We legalized the right to an abortion three years before Roe v. Wade. Again, ahead of our time.
We’ll honor that legacy and that mantle of responsibility that is conferred on every one of us to do what we can to protect the women of our state, and where possible, protect those women in other states. We'll continue to be that beacon of hope. We'll always stand up because that's who we are. We fought this battle before. We shouldn't have to fight it again, but we will.
Think about my mother’s generation — had to fight for this right in the first place. My generation took it for granted, and now it’s not there for my daughter’s generation, and we damn well better get it back for my granddaughter's generation. That’s what we’re committed to doing here today.
So once again, the responsibility to act is upon us, and we are up for the task. The torch is once again in our hands, just like Lady Liberty. For 150 years that statue has stood there facing the world, offering a respite for those who are oppressed, those who yearn for freedom. We will continue to be that place of freedom — all freedoms, including reproductive freedom — a place where people can come to when their own freedom of choice, their freedom to make decisions about their body, have been denied, as well as the providers who are threatened in the process. Because, my friends, that is who we are as New Yorkers.
I'm proud to stand here today. Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention, working together. Thank you, members of the Legislature, and we will get this done. Let me bring up a co-sponsor of the bill in the Senate, another great reproductive rights champion, our Senator, Senator Shelley Mayer.
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For Immediate Release: 2/6/2025
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL
AUDIO & RUSH TRANSCRIPT: GOVERNOR HOCHUL IS A GUEST ON ABC’S “GMA3” WITH EVA PILGRIM AND DEMARCO MORGAN
Governor Hochul: “There are judges and prosecutors in other states that are literally going after New York State [doctors], and I protected them by signing a Shield Law into effect that says, I will under no circumstances ever turn over a doctor from the State of New York to another state and have them face the prosecution and possibility of 15 years in prison. So that's what this country has come to. It is deeply disturbing, it's sad, but that's the reality we're facing.”
Hochul: “What we said is, let's keep the doctor's names off of the bottles. You can put the name of the practice or even just the address on it… Just one more layer of protection for our doctors who are just simply doing what their oath tells them to do. Because many times, this medication is lifesaving. There are people who want to go to term, but they're not able to because of some complication and they deserve to have this option as well.”
Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul was a guest on ABC’s “GMA3” with Eva Pilgrim and DeMarco Morgan.
AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.
A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:
Eva Pilgrim, ABC: We turn now to the ongoing battle over reproductive rights. In a first since Roe v. Wade was overturned, Louisiana has indicted a New York doctor for allegedly prescribing abortion medication online to a pregnant minor. The doctor, her company, and the patient's mother all now face felony charges.
DeMarco Morgan, ABC: New York's Governor refusing to extradite the doctor saying, “No doctor should go to jail for providing basic reproductive health care.” And she joins us now, Governor Kathy Hochul. Thanks a lot for being on. We appreciate it and good to see you.
Governor Hochul: Thank you. Good afternoon, everyone.
DeMarco Morgan, ABC: So let's talk about this Shield Law that protects this doctor right here. Can you tell us more about it? And could we see more doctors facing charges in the future?
Governor Hochul: Well, that's the part of the collateral damage of the overturning of Roe v. Wade back in June of 2022. And we saw at that time all the different ripple effects that it could have when every state came up with their own laws, and some incredibly restrictive — literally eliminating a right that women in this country have had for over 50 years. There are judges and prosecutors in other states that are literally going after New York State [doctors], and I protected them by signing a Shield Law into effect that says, I will under no circumstances ever turn over a doctor from the State of New York to another state and have them face the prosecution and possibility of 15 years in prison.
So that's what this country has come to. It is deeply disturbing, it's sad, but that's the reality we're facing. And after the Trump administration put in these judges back under his last term, the Supreme Court is hostile to women's rights and now women all across the country are suffering, but also now the doctors are exposed and vulnerable — but I won't let that happen here in New York.
Eva Pilgrim, ABC: Let's talk about those doctors. On Monday, you passed a bill aimed to give even more protection to those doctors prescribing abortion medication. Tell us exactly what this new legislation does.
Governor Hochul: Well, we also saw that there was some vulnerability because the reason they knew this doctor's name is that the doctor's name was literally on the prescription bottle. When they're investigating this as if it's some sort of horrific crime, and a mother and her daughter wanting this medication and they go to a doctor in New York and have it prescribed — more than half of abortions in the country are by telemedicine. It's very early stage. It's been working successfully for a long time.
But what we said is, let's keep the doctor's names off of the bottles. You can put the name of the practice or even just the address on it. And across the State, pharmacies will have to follow that as well to make sure that when it goes out of state, that we follow this to just one more layer of protection for our doctors who are just simply doing what their oath tells them to do.
Because many times, this medication is lifesaving. There are people who want to go to term, but they're not able to because of some complication and they deserve to have this option as well.
DeMarco Morgan, ABC: All right, Governor, let's talk about another topic. You just recently penned an op-ed on cell phones in schools. A lot of parents have their thoughts about this one. What exactly are you proposing?
Governor Hochul: We are proposing in the State of New York a bell-to-bell elimination on distractive devices. Talk about not just your cell phone, but a smart watch and the earbuds. Because what we're finding now — especially over the last five to six years — the number of teenagers who are contemplating suicide, depression rates, the stress that our kids are under, especially teenage girls, is incredible. And a lot of it has to do with the fact that they get no peace. They're in school all day long.
A study came out that showed that of the six and a half hours that our students are supposed to be learning, they're literally just playing and talking to people on their cell phones and going to social media sites. And we have addictive algorithms that are bombarding our kids with all kinds of messages, many of them not positive, but also exposes our kids to bullying during the day. Or as one teenage girl told me — I did round tables all across the State — she said, “You've got to save us from ourselves. We want to be able to put down the phone. We want to be able to disconnect, but we can't be the only one.”
And I'm a mother, first mom-Governor of New York. I understand when a child calls for help, we have to respond, and that's exactly what we're doing. The teachers want this as well. They are so tired of having to compete with a device and not able to teach or actually make a connection with students. This is what they're complaining about.
So this is a way we can give these children a break, let them just disconnect, let them be kids again. And the impact on children in schools where they've already done this is incredible. The principals are saying the kids are laughing in hallways again. They're talking to each other whereas it used to be absolutely silent because everyone was so addicted to their cell phones.
So this is going to be hopefully passed with the Legislature's support in a couple of months, going to effect in September in the State of New York.
DeMarco Morgan, ABC: New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Governor, thank you for coming on. We appreciate it and please come back.
Governor Hochul: Certainly will. Thank you.
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For Immediate Release: 2/7/2025
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL
AUDIO & RUSH TRANSCRIPT: GOVERNOR HOCHUL IS A GUEST ON CNN’S “LAURA COATES LIVE”
Governor Hochul: “We anticipated a situation like this as soon as we lost that fundamental right to reproductive freedom that we had for such a long time until the overturning of Roe v. Wade. We immediately, in our state capitol, set to create a shield law to protect our doctors for just a case like this. I signed it, I will defend that law, and I will in no way in hell ever extradite a doctor who was simply living up to her oath to take care of patients and to give sometimes life saving medication to someone who desperately needs it. I will never turn her over to the authorities in Louisiana, where she would face criminal prosecution and up to 15 years in jail. It is shocking where this country has come to, but I will continue to be that line of defense against such actions.”
Hochul: “I would assume there's other states that are like mine that actually care about women's rights and doctors rights, and certainly she'll have to be careful about her travel plans, but I can speak for New York. This will not happen in the State of New York. She will not be arrested by any authorities here, and I will never sign a document to turn her over to authorities in Louisiana.”
Earlier this evening, Governor Kathy Hochul was a guest on CNN’s “Laura Coates Live”.
AUDIO: The Governor's remarks are available in audio form here.
A rush transcript of the Governor's remarks is available below:
Laura Coates, CNN: Tonight, Louisiana issuing an arrest warrant against a doctor from New York charged with sending abortion pills across state lines to a minor. This started when Louisiana prosecutors say Dr. Margaret Carpenter sent abortion pills to a mother and her daughter in the state. The prosecutors believe the mother coerced the daughter to take them.
The daughter called 911 after having a medical emergency, and that's when police found out the pills were from New York. And prosecutors charged the mother and Dr. Carpenter for violating Louisiana's strict abortion laws. The state's attorney general, Liz Murrill, said, quote, “At this point, an arrest warrant has been issued for Carpenter and placed into a national crime database, adding that Louisiana will initiate extradition proceedings once she is in custody.” But New York Governor Kathy Hochul is adamant, she will not comply with any extradition order, and just this week, Governor Hochul signed a new law meant to shield doctors who provide abortion pills by mail.
Joining me now is New York Democratic Governor, Governor Kathy Hochul. Governor, thank you for taking the time to speak to us this evening. I want to talk to you about these Louisiana prosecutors, because they seem very ready to take any action necessary to try to bring Dr. Carpenter to court in Louisiana. Are you confident that your laws in New York will shield her from prosecution in Louisiana?
Governor Hochul: Well, we anticipated a situation like this as soon as we lost that fundamental right to reproductive freedom that we had for such a long time until the overturning of Roe v. Wade. We immediately, in our state capitol, set to create a shield law to protect our doctors for just a case like this. I signed it, I will defend that law, and I will in no way in hell ever extradite a doctor who was simply living up to her oath to take care of patients and to give sometimes life saving medication to someone who desperately needs it.
I will never turn her over to the authorities in Louisiana, where she would face criminal prosecution and up to 15 years in jail. It is shocking where this country has come to, but I will continue to be that line of defense against such actions.
Laura Coates, CNN: The Louisiana Attorney General responded to your new New York law, and I’m going to quote her when she says, “There’s an arrest warrant in the National Crime Information System. The Doctor could be arrested in other places. If New York won’t cooperate, there are other states that will.” Is she essentially then confined to New York? Are you afraid that your law cannot be expansive enough to protect her outside of your borders?
Governor Hochul: I would assume there's other states that are like mine that actually care about women's rights and doctors rights, and certainly she'll have to be careful about her travel plans, but I can speak for New York. This will not happen in the State of New York. She will not be arrested by any authorities here, and I will never sign a document to turn her over to authorities in Louisiana.
Laura Coates, CNN: Just one more point on that. There’s a part of the law that talks about doctors not having to put their names on prescriptions if they are sent elsewhere. Do you have concerns that that might undermine other areas in, not only privacy but also in accountability, if there is an issue with the medication, even outside of the abortion context?
Governor Hochul: This relates to this kind of medication and it's something I signed into law just a couple of days ago, because the reason they know this doctor's name is because her name was on the prescription bottle. So if we're going to continue to protect women's rights and protect our doctors, this was a necessary step to say, “We should not be showing that person's name. We can put an address on the bottle, and if there's a complication, it certainly can be tracked down.”
But this is not intended to send the name to people in hostile states like Louisiana and others who don't give — they don't care at all about women's rights and have suppressed them and changed them and taken us back a century. And that's why we have to stand up in New York and say — even a law like this I just signed might go a little bit further to protect someone like this doctor whose name was exposed on a bottle.
Laura Coates, CNN: We’ll continue to follow what’s happening there. I want to turn briefly as well to the issue of immigration, because as you know, it’s not been briefly discussed — it’s been extensively discussed — by this administration on the campaign trail. And now that he has returned to the Oval Office, they are prioritizing immigration.
And just today, they sued Illinois, they sued Chicago, over their sanctuary policy. Now, New York State does cooperate with ICE under certain circumstances, but how far are you willing to go with that cooperation?
Governor Hochul: What I'll do is follow New York State laws and executive orders that have been placed for some time. And yes, in certain circumstances, we will cooperate with ICE if there's someone who came across our borders illegally and has a criminal record. Someone who may be on the Terrorist Watch List; someone who is committing crimes in our own state.
I have an obligation to protect the people of New York and I'll do that. So that requires us to cooperate if they have a warrant for someone's arrest. But in those circumstances only. We're not supporting these mass deportations and sweeps that go into everywhere from sensitive locations, like schools and churches.
There are people who came here looking for a better life, who are law abiding, who are actually working, who are contributing to our economy. Laura, I have 400,000 open jobs in the State of New York right now. We need their help. Now, there should be a legal path. And our borders are far too porous. I support meaningful immigration reform.
I wish Congress would actually work on this together instead of just finding ways to thwart this. But if people would come together and have laws that protect our borders, protect our citizens and have a legal pathway, I think our economy would be much stronger as well as our nation. So that's our policy in the State of New York.
Laura Coates, CNN: But Governor, once people have been potentially swept into — either deportation rate or otherwise — the ability to distinguish and decipher and then protect those who are in this country on an undocumented basis, and yet without the criminal record you speak of, how will you be able to react or proactively prevent their deportation?
Governor Hochul: What I'm saying is I will not use state resources, our State Police, to assist in a situation where there's not a warrant. That is what I'm required to do under law: to draw the distinction in those cases. And that's what we've been doing, not just under this administration, but this is what we did under the Biden administration as well. So we're just going to continue our current policy.
Laura Coates, CNN: Governor Hochul, thank you so much.
Governor Hochul: Alright. Thanks, Laura. Have a good night.