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Senate Women’s Issues Committee advances five bills on ovarian cancer, campus supports and fibroid studies
Summary
At its March 11 meeting, the Senate Women’s Issues Committee approved motions to advance five bills addressing ovarian cancer survivor screenings, campus requirements, information on morcellation surgery, uterine fibroid awareness and a statewide fibroid study fund; measures were referred to committee or moved to first reading as recorded.
On Tuesday, March 11, at 10:03 a.m., the Senate Women’s Issues Committee met and moved five bills forward, referring some measures to finance or higher education committees and sending others to first reading.
The committee advanced the following measures: S.520, which would amend the public health law to ensure ovarian cancer survivors have the right to access screenings for health conditions; S.2058, described by the clerk as an amendment to the education law requiring certain institutions to take unspecified action; S.3193, directing the Department of Health to create an informational pamphlet regarding the laparoscopic power morcellation surgical technique; S.3575, to establish a uterine fibroids awareness and education program in the public health law; and S.3576, to create a statewide fibroid study program and a corresponding fund in the state finance law.
Why it matters: The bills address multiple aspects of women’s health and campus policy — from screening access for cancer survivors to public education about surgical techniques and a statewide study of fibroids. Committee action advances the measures to the next stages of the legislative process, where committees with jurisdiction or full legislative consideration will review them further.
Committee action and next steps
- S.520 (by Senator Prasad): The clerk read the bill “to amend the public health law in relation to ensuring ovarian cancer survivors have the right to access screenings for health conditions.” The motion to move the bill was made by Senator White and seconded by Senator Scarcellus Fantin. The committee voted in favor and the measure was reported to the Finance Committee.
- S.2058 (author not specified on the record other than the clerk saying “by me”): The clerk read an act to amend the education law; committee members said the bill “will have a very positive impact” and noted that several colleges already do something like it. The motion to move the bill was made by Senator Carcelis Fann and seconded by Senator April Baskin. The committee voted in favor; for the record, Senator Wike was recorded as “without rec.” The bill was reported to the Higher Education Committee.
- S.3193 (by Senator Prasad): The clerk read an act directing the Department of Health to create an informational pamphlet regarding the laparoscopic power morcellation technique. Senator Jessica Scarcellus Fantin moved the bill and Senator Wike seconded. The committee voted in favor and the bill was advanced to first reading.
- S.3575 (author not specified on the record): The clerk read an act to amend the public health law to establish a uterine fibroids awareness and education program. The motion was made by Senator Mike and seconded by Senator Scarcellus Fantin; the committee voted in favor and the bill was advanced to first reading.
- S.3576 (by Senator Clear Bridal, as read on the record): The clerk read an act to amend the public health law to establish a statewide fibroid study program and to amend the state finance law to create a fund for the study. The motion was made by Senator Scarcellus Fantin and seconded by Senator Wike. The committee voted in favor and the bill was reported to the Finance Committee.
Discussion and participation
There was little floor debate recorded for the measures. Senator White said, “I’m just looking forward to an exciting meeting. I know we have a lot of good topics to cover, and I thank you for your leadership.” Other remarks on the bills were limited to brief supportive comments and procedural motions to move the measures. The clerk and committee counsel were present for readings; no amendments or substantive changes were recorded on the floor during this session.
Administrative notes
The committee’s clerk and director, Diana Hernandez, and committee counsel Jamie Som were present. Voting sheets were present from Senators Serrano and Stavisky, per the record. The meeting concluded with the chair giving thanks to staff and adjourning the session.
Votes at a glance
- S.520 — Moved by Senator White; seconded by Senator Scarcellus Fantin; outcome: reported to Finance. - S.2058 — Moved by Senator Carcelis Fann; seconded by Senator April Baskin; outcome: reported to Higher Education; note: Senator Wike recorded as “without rec.” - S.3193 — Moved by Senator Jessica Scarcellus Fantin; seconded by Senator Wike; outcome: advanced to first reading. - S.3575 — Moved by Senator Mike; seconded by Senator Scarcellus Fantin; outcome: advanced to first reading. - S.3576 — Moved by Senator Scarcellus Fantin; seconded by Senator Wike; outcome: reported to Finance.
The committee adjourned after advancing the five measures; no final enactment or funding decisions were made in this session.
