What's happening
This bill allows campaign contributions to be used for childcare expenses by candidates who are primary caregivers during campaign activities.
Why it matters
Expanding access to candidacy. By allowing campaign funds to cover childcare expenses, this bill lowers a significant barrier for parents—especially mothers or single parents—who might otherwise be unable to run for office due to caregiving obligations.
Promoting diversity and representation. The change could encourage a broader, more diverse pool of candidates, resulting in elected officials who better reflect the experiences and needs of families and caregivers in their communities.
Clarifying campaign finance rules. The bill clearly distinguishes childcare expenses incurred as a direct result of campaign activity from prohibited "personal use," providing legal certainty for candidates and campaign treasurers navigating spending rules.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Campaign Funds for Childcare
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to elections
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8872
IN SENATE
May 31, 2018
Introduced by Sen. AVELLA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Elections
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to certain campaign expenses for personal use
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 14-130 of the election law is amended by adding a new subdivision 5-a to read as follows:
5-a. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a candidate from using contributions received by the campaign for childcare expenses where such candidate is the primary caregiver of the child and such expenses are incurred as a direct result of campaign activity. For the purposes of this subdivision, the use of funds for childcare expenses shall not be deemed to be considered "converted by any person to a personal use" as otherwise prohibited by this section.
§ 2. The state board of elections shall promulgate any rules or regulations necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD16089-02-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to certain campaign expenses for personal use
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to allow the use of campaign funds for childcare expenses when the candidate is the primary caregiver of the child and such expenses are incurred as a direct result of campaign activity.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of this bill amends Section 14-130 of the election law by adding new subdivision 5-a, which would clarify that a candidate may use campaign funds for childcare expenses when the candidate is the primary caregiver of the child and the expenses are incurred as a direct result of campaign activity.
Section 2 of this bill states that this act shall take effect thirty days after it has become law.
Justification
The need for childcare often serves as a large obstacle for individuals running for office. Women, in particular, are often affected by these demands. It is critical that we remove this barrier of entry to public service for candidates.
Recently, the Federal Elections Commission issued an advisory opinion stating that a federal candidate for the House of Representatives can use campaign funds to pay for childcare costs. Under the current New York State Election Law, a candidate or political committee cannot use campaign funds for an expense such as childcare.
This legislation aims to extend the ruling the ruling of the Federal Elections Commission to all candidates for state and local office within New York State. Specifically, this bill would allow candidates to use campaign funds for any childcare expense incurred where such candidate is the primary caregiver of the child and such expenses are incurred as a direct result of campaign activity.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect thirty days after it shall have become a law
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.