Senator Biaggi's Week in Review: 3/7/22-3/11/22

 

Dear Community,

As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, I am proud to announce that the Senate has passed my bill, S4844B, to expand accommodations for nursing employees in the workplace. 

Currently, employers are required by law to provide reasonable break times and make reasonable efforts to provide a space for employees to pump breast milk. However, they are not required to provide employees with access to private lactation rooms– an accommodation that New York State, City, and federal government employees are afforded. This bill seeks to require all employers in New York offer the same accommodations for nursing mothers that already exist for certain public employees.

All employees statewide, regardless of where they work, should have the ability to access a safe, hygienic and convenient place to pump within their workplaces. I am optimistic that the Assembly will follow suit in passing this bill, and expand protections for nursing mothers across New York State.

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi

Letter to Governor Hochul to Retire Peaker Plants in the South Bronx: I joined my Legislative colleagues, South Bronx Unite, and Bronx CBOs in sending a letter to Governor Hochul requesting that the Department of Public Service withhold approvals for the construction of new Tier 4 transmission line (Clean Path NY) that would bring renewable energy from upstate to NYC until the New York Power Authority (NYPA)— a partner in the CleanPath project— commits to retiring its four peaker plans in the South Bronx, by 2026 or as soon as sufficient renewable energy to offset their output is available.

Biaggi Bill to Expand the Rights of Nursing Employees to Express Breast Milk Passes the Senate: The Senate has passed my bill, S4844B, which would expand accommodations for nursing employees in the workplace.

Biaggi Bill Which Relates to Women’s Health in Correctional Facilities Moved to Senate Finance Committee: The Senate Committee on Women’s Issues has moved my bill, S401A, to the Senate Finance Committee. This bill would establish a women's health education program, require HIV and STD testing to be offered to incarcerated individuals, and provide pregnant incarcerated individuals with access to prenatal vitamins as well as a specialized diet tailored to pregnancy needs.

Biaggi Bill to Require Feminine Hygiene Products to be Offered for Free in Non-public Schools Moved to Senate Education Committee: The Senate Committee on Women’s Issues has referred my bill, S3472, to the Senate Education Committee. This bill would require feminine hygiene products to be offered for free in non-public schools.

Biaggi Bill to Prohibit Agencies from Charging for the Process of a FOIL Request Moved to Senate Finance Committee: The Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee has referred my bill, S1063, to the Senate Finance Committee. This bill ensures that branches of the state government or the government of a city of a population over one million will not charge other branches of the state government for requesting information under FOIL.