BILL NUMBER: S5737
SPONSOR: SCARCELLA-SPANTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to payments of
certain expenses by adoptive parents
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Amends Subdivision 6 of section 374 of the social services
law by adding subdivision 6(b) language that extends the period in which
payments to a birthmother shall be made by an adoptive family.
Section 2. This act will take effect thirty days after it becomes law -
with any addition, amendment, or repeal related to this bill taking
effect immediately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Raising a child can be costly and the expenses begin to accrue long
before a child is born. This is no less true when it comes to adoptions
and surrogacy. For women who can provide the gift of life to other fami-
lies, it is essential that they be justly compensated for the undertak-
ing and properly cared for while barring the child to term.
This bill would expand the period an adoptive family would have to pay
for, as far as it concerns expenses related to the carrying of the
child. This can include housing, maternity clothes, clothing for the
child, and transportation from 148 days before the birth to 45 days
after the birth (or parental consent to the adoption). Providing this
relief to surrogate mothers is crucial to providing a better life for
all those involved, especially the baby.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024; Held in Assembly Social Services Committee.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act will take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have
become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
this act on its effective

Statutes affected:
S5737: 374 social services law, 374(6) social services law