Legislative Efforts and Position Papers

What We Stand For

Our Work

NYAAFF’s main function is to monitor and weigh in on proposed legislation in the fields of adoption and assisted reproduction in New York State. Based on our collective knowledge and experience in these areas, we determine whether to support, oppose or propose revisions to each piece of proposed legislation.

NYAAFF also drafts legislation to address issues our clients are experiencing as a result of problems with the current laws in the fields of adoption and assisted reproduction.

Position Letters

Memo to New York State Department of Finance in support of making additional insurance options available to those pursuing surrogacy in New York

Position: Not Applicable Status: Not Applicable Bill Number: Not Applicable

Letter in Support of Bill A-8412 and S-7261 Providing Certificates of Birth Data for Adult Adoptees Born Abroad (3/26/24)

Position: Support Status: Pending Bill Number: Not Applicable

Letter to Governor Hochul in Opposition to NY OCFS ICPC Memo Regarding Approval of Living Expenses Paid in Connection with an Adoption (2/5/24)

Position: Oppose Status: OCFS ICPC responded favorably Bill Number: Not Applicable

Letter to American Public Human Services Association regarding NY ICPC Memo (1/26/24, 3/14/24)

Position: Oppose Status: OCFS ICPC responded favorably Bill Number: Not Applicable

Proposed Legislation establishes procedures regarding orders of post-termination visitation and/or contact between a child and such child’s parent (11/2/23)

Position: Oppose Status: Vetoed by Governor Bill Number: S6720

Proposed Legislation Regarding Consent Rights of Unwed Birth Fathers in Foster Care Adoptions (12/19/22)

Position: Oppose Status: Passed Bill Number: S6389

Proposed Legislation Regarding Consent Rights of Unwed Birth Fathers in Foster Care Adoptions (5/23/21)

Position: Oppose Status: Pending Bill Number: S6359

Preserving Family Bonds Act (5/12/21)

Position: Oppose Status: Passed by Senate and Assembly but Vetoed by Governor Bill Number: S6357

New York Update: Child Parent Security Act (2/17/21)

Position: Not Applicable Status: Not Applicable Bill Number: Not Applicable

New York Attorneys for Adoption and Assisted Family Formation (NYAAFF) Announces the Child-Parent Security Act as Law (2/15/21)

Position: Not Applicable Status: Not Applicable Bill Number: Not Applicable

Child Parent Security Act (effective 2/15/2021)

This law legalized compensated gestational surrogacy in New York and created a statutory framework for establishing legal parentage for children born through assisted reproduction and surrogacy. NYAAFF has been a staunch advocate for the CPSA since it was initially introduced to the legislature nearly a decade ago.

NYAAFF Proudly Celebrates the Passage of the Child Parent Security Act (2/12/21)

Position: Not Applicable Status: Not Applicable Bill Number: Not Applicable

Issuance of Birth Certificates for Children Born by New York Surrogates to Out-of-State Parents (9/23/20)

Position: Not Applicable Status: Not Applicable Bill Number: Not Applicable

KinGAP-Payments-After-Adoption (5/18/20)

Position: Support Status: Pending Bill Number: A9840

Virtual Finalizations of Adoption Proceedings (5/11/20)

Position: Not Applicable Status: Not Applicable Bill Number: Not Applicable

Virtual Finalizations - Response from Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of Unified Court System.

Position: Not Applicable Status: Not Applicable Bill Number: Not Applicable

Executive Order for Adoption Home Studies During COVID-19 (3/30/20)

Position: Support Status: Pending Bill Number: Not Applicable

Surrogacy Bill With Delayed Parentage (2/19/20)

Position: Oppose Status: Pending Bill Number: S07717

Preserving Family Bonds Act (12/11/19, 10/21/19, 7/9/19)

Position: Oppose Status: Pending (2019 – passed Senate and Assembly, vetoed by Governor) Bill Number: A02199A/S04203A

Child Parent Security Act (11/20/19, June 5, 2017)

Position: Support Status: Pending (2019 – passed Senate, no vote in Assembly) Bill Number: A01071C/S02071B

Adoptees Access to Original Birth Certificates (10/21/19, 6/7/16)

Position: Support Status: Enacted Bill Number: A05494/S03419

Conforms Social Services Law to Expanded Definition of “Relative” for Foster Care & Kinship Guardianship (10/21/19)

Position: Support Status: Enacted Bill Number: A00569/S02714

Conforms Family Court Act to Expanded Definition of “Relative” for Foster Care & Kinship Guardianship (10/21/19)

Position: Support Status: Enacted Bill Number: A-01071C/S02071-B, A08059/S06405

Confirms Availability of Step-Parent Adoptions for Married Same Sex Couples (10/10/19)

Position: Support Status: Enacted Bill Number: A00460/S03999

Reuniting Families Act (8/1/19)

Position: Support Status: Enacted Bill Number: A02106A/S05024A