What's happening
This bill requires pharmacies that do not sell emergency contraception to post clear signs stating its unavailability and sets penalties for noncompliance.
Why it matters
Increases transparency for consumers. by requiring pharmacies that do not carry emergency contraception to clearly inform customers, reducing confusion or wasted time for those seeking this medication in urgent situations.
Holds pharmacies accountable. through enforceable civil penalties for noncompliance, which may incentivize greater clarity in pharmacy practices and signage, and potentially encourage more pharmacies to consider stocking emergency contraception.
Defines "emergency contraception" explicitly. in state law, which helps ensure consistent understanding and application of the requirement across all pharmacies, and may reduce ambiguity in enforcement or compliance.
Addresses access barriers indirectly. by making it easier for individuals to quickly identify which pharmacies do not offer emergency contraception, helping them seek alternatives without delay — a critical factor given the time-sensitive nature of these medications.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Pharmacies Must Post EC Signs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2472
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 25, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring pharmacies to post signs regarding the sale of emergency contraception
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6832 to read as follows:
§ 6832. Display of information relating to emergency contraception. 1. Any pharmacy that does not sell emergency contraception must conspicuously post, at or adjacent to each counter over which prescription drugs are sold, signage indicating in large type that emergency contraception is not sold at such pharmacy.
2. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this section shall pay a civil penalty of not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars for the first offense and for each succeeding offense a penalty of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars for each such violation. For the purposes of this section, if on any single day the required signage is not displayed in accordance with this section, it shall be considered a single violation.
3. For the purposes of this section, "emergency contraception" means one or more prescription drugs, used separately or in combination, to be administered to or self-administered by the patient in a dosage and manner for preventing pregnancy when used after intercourse, found safe and effective for that use by the United States food and drug administration, and dispensed for that purpose in accordance with professional standards of practice.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08742-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring pharmacies to post signs regarding the sale of emergency contraception
Purpose
To amend the education law, in relation to requiring pharmacies to post signs regarding the sale of emergency contraception.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends the education law by adding a new Section 6832 which states any pharmacy that does not sell emergency contraception must conspicuously post, at or adjacent to each counter over which prescription drugs are sold, signage indicating in large type that emer- gency contraception is not sold at such pharmacy.
Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall pay a civil penalty of not less than $250 nor more than $500 for the first offense and for each succeeding offense a penalty of not less than $500 nor more than $750 for each such violation. If on any single day the required signage is not displayed in accordance with this section, it shall be considered a single violation.
Section 2 provides that the act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Existing law
None.
Justification
It is in the public interest to know if local pharmacies carry emergency contraception. This will help lower the rate of unplanned pregnancies, saving those who need it valuable time and creating an incentive for pharmacies to carry such drugs.
Legislative history
03/15/16 REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Fiscal implications
None
Local fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day 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.