OUR MINISTRIES
Public Policy
June, 2026
From the NYS Catholic Conference:
Rights of School Students with Disabilities (A9385-A/S8842-A): These companion bills are designed to protect the due process rights of non-public school students with disabilities. They ensure that parents of children attending private, independent, or religious schools, or those who are homeschooled, retain the right to seek impartial hearings regarding the implementation of Individualized Education Services Plans (IESPs). Presently in NYS Legislature Assembly and Senate Committees. The NYS Catholic Conference supports this legislation. Take action at www.nyscatholic.org
Special Education Services (S10007-A/A3950-D): This bill amends the education law to address procedural barriers that have prevented students with disabilities attending non-public schools from accessing their entitled educational services. The NYS Catholic Conference supports this legislation. The Senate passed this legislation; presently in Assembly Committee. Take action at www.nyscatholic.org
NYS Programs:
(Update) HEAP Cooling Assistance Available: Receive up to $800 for a fan or air conditioner, including installation, if you qualify. Call 518/455-2225.
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) funding has been released by the federal government. NY will receive an additional $40,356,315 to go along with the more than $360 million in federal funding the state previously received, resulting in a net total of $40l.2 million in LIHEAP aid to help New Yorkers afford their home utility bills.
Other NYS Legislation:
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) - DSPs who care for persons with disabilities are some of the lowest paid workers in the State. A 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII) requested in Budget was passed by the Legislature.
Victims Protection and Child Sex Buyer Accountability Act (A.9214/S.8609): Passed by the Legislature and closes a loophole in NY’s child exploitation laws. Prior to this bill, NY was the only state in the country where buying sex from a 15, 16, or 17 year old was prosecuted as a misdemeanor. The new law establishes a uniform rule that no child under 18 can legally consent to commercial sex. It elevates penalties to felonies; expands trafficking definitions—criminalizes psychological coercion, deception, grooming, manipulation, and the abuse of power or dependency; and the changes align NYS statutes with federal law and 49 states, treating all minors uniformly as trafficking victims. Awaits Gov. Hochul’s signature.
The Lethality Assessment Program - Passed by both chambers of the Legislature. This legislation requires law enforcement officers to undergo training to conduct evidence-based lethality assessments during domestic violence responses. The assessment tool helps identify victims at the highest risk of serious injury or intimate partner homicide and immediately connects them with local domestic violence service providers and advocates. Standardized reporting of the lethality indicators is a requirement as part of the Domestic Incident Report (DIR).
Protect, Invest, and Expand (PIE) Food Security Package - Substantially Funded Programs include:
-
NOEP (Nutrition Outreach and Education Program) which helps families enroll in benefits;
-
HPNAP (The Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program) which supports community food pantries and kitchens;
-
Nourish NY, which connects farmers with food banks; and
-
Double Up Food Bucks, which helps SNAP recipients buy fresh fruits and vegetables while supporting local agriculture.
This program tripled its budget to $6 million.
Federal Legislation to watch:
Senior Hunger Protection Act: This legislation would expand SNAP benefits for all beneficiaries, simplify the SNAP application process for seniors and people with disabilities, and expand SNAP food delivery options.
Universal School Meals Program: This legislation would provide free breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks to all K-12 students. Also, it would eliminate school meal debt for every public school student in America; increase reimbursement rates for schools; incentivize schools to buy from local farms; provide meals to children during the summer months; and strengthen and expand the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Social Security Caregiver Credit Act (Reintroduced): This bill would allow eligible caregivers to earn Social Security retirement credits while providing unpaid care to their dependent family members. Qualifying caregivers would be allowed to receive up to 5 years of deemed wages for Social Security benefit calculations if they spend at least 80 hours a month caring for a dependent child under age 12 or a chronically dependent relative, ie. aging parent, spouse, or family member with a disability. The credits would apply only to caregivers who do not receive monetary compensation for the care they provide.
From CCUSA: U
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, US DHS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Opposes proposed rule’s extension of the waiting period to apply for an initial Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from 150 days to 365 days, as well as a pause on accepting initial asylum-based EAD applications. If implemented, the proposed rule would deprive individuals of the ability to earn a living and support themselves and their families, increasing dependence on charitable organizations.
From USCCB/JFI (Justice for Immigrants):
Update on Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act (S.2241/HR 4307): USCCBs Committee on Migration urged passage and praised the measure’s bipartisan sponsorship and that the bill would strengthen the US Department of Labor’s role in identifying and stopping human trafficking—especially of children.
Deport Alien Gang Members Act (H.R. 175): Opposes the bill which is … “unjustifiably broad and risks implicating the victims of criminal gangs, as well as Catholics and other people of faith serving immigrants…” (The bill passed out of the Judiciary Committee along party lines, clearing the way for a vote on the House floor).
From The Alzheimer’s Association: Working to advance the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act to make Medicare coverage possible for blood tests that can detect Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear.
From AARP:
Protect Older Workers Against Discrimination Act and Protect Older Job Applicants Act - Supports this legislation and advocates for fair hiring and workplace practices.
Some New Drugs for 3rd round of Medicare’s price-cut negotiations:
-
Erieada (Prostate Cancer);
-
Kisqali and Verzenio (breast cancer);
-
Botox (chronic migraines);
-
Lenvima (kidney, liver and thyroid cancers);
-
Xeljanz (rheumatoid arthritis
Thank you for your advocacy.
Marie Copeland, Chair