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Senate bill · S5737 (2025-26)

Increases the time frame for payments of certain expenses by adoptive parents

New York State Senate

Same as A2425, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Latest action Jun 5, 2026

Passed as A2425, the matching Assembly bill.

Sponsor: Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (State Senator, District 23, Democratic)

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From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 22, 2026. About our data

Summary

Increases the time frame for payments of certain expenses by adoptive parents to 180 days prior to birth and 45 days after birth.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Social Services Law.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

Section 1 amends subdivision 6 of section 374 of the social services law, as amended by chapter 305 of the laws of 2008, to extend the period in which payments to a birthmother shall be made by an adoptive family. Section 2 provides that the act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become law and authorizes the immediate adoption of any rules or regulations necessary for implementation on or before that effective date.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Where it stands

Signed into law.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

Committee

Children and Families · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Children And Families · New York State Senate, Social Services · New York State Assembly, Social Services · New York State Senate.

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The sponsor's argument

Why Jessica Scarcella-Spanton says this is needed

Raising a child can be costly and the expenses begin to accrue long before a child is born. This is no less true when it comes to adoptions and surrogacy. For women who can provide the gift of life to other fami- lies, it is essential that they be justly compensated for the undertak- ing and properly cared for while barring the child to term. This billwould expand the period an adoptive family would have to pay for, as far as expenses related to the carrying of the child. This can include housing, maternity clothes, clothing for the child, and trans- portation from 180 days before birth to 45 days. After the birth (or parental consent to the adoption). Providing this relief to surrogate mothers is crucial to providing a better life who all those involved, especially the baby. Additionally, the bill removes the word "exceptional" and permits the court to authorize such payments where it determines, in writing, that circumstances exist requiring them. This change is important because it allows courts to respond more appro- priately to the facts of individual cases without imposing an unneces- sarily high threshold. A requirement of "circumstances" may unduly limit judicial discretion even where continued support is plainly warranted. By permitting a written finding that circumstances require payment, the bill preserves judicial oversight white ensuring that necessary support may still be provided in appropriate cases.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Recorded votes

  • Vote: Floor vote

    NY SenateJun 1, 2026Result: passedSenate vote on A2425, the matching Assembly bill.

    (60) (0) (0) (3)

  • Vote: Committee vote · Rules

    Senate RulesJun 1, 2026Result: passed

    (20) (0) (0) (1)

Full history

  1. Jun 5, 2026

    Sent to the executive

    DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR

    NY Assembly

  2. Jun 5, 2026

    Signed

    SIGNED CHAP.120

    NY Assembly

  3. Jun 1, 2026

    3RD Reading CAL.1464

    3RD READING CAL.1464

    NY Senate

  4. Jun 1, 2026

    In committee

    COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES

    NY Senate

  5. Jun 1, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    REPASSED SENATE

    NY Senate

Show full history (17 earlier events)
  1. Jun 1, 2026

    Substituted

    SUBSTITUTED FOR S5737A

    NY Senate

  2. May 6, 2026

    Amend and Recommit to Children and Families

    AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

    NY Senate

  3. Apr 29, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

    NY Senate

  4. Apr 29, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    REPASSED ASSEMBLY

    NY Assembly

  5. Apr 29, 2026

    Returned to Senate

    RETURNED TO SENATE

    NY Assembly

  6. Apr 16, 2026

    Amended

    AMENDED ON THIRD READING 2425A

    NY Assembly

  7. Apr 16, 2026

    Recalled From Senate

    RECALLED FROM SENATE

    NY Assembly

  8. Apr 16, 2026

    Returned to Assembly

    RETURNED TO ASSEMBLY

    NY Senate

  9. Mar 23, 2026

    Sent to the executive

    DELIVERED TO SENATE

    NY Assembly

  10. Mar 23, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED ASSEMBLY

    NY Assembly

  11. Mar 23, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

    NY Senate

  12. Mar 19, 2026

    Advanced to Third Reading CAL.312

    ADVANCED TO THIRD READING CAL.312

    NY Assembly

  13. Mar 17, 2026

    Reported out of committee

    REPORTED

    NY Assembly

  14. Jan 7, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

    NY Senate

  15. Jan 7, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES

    NY Assembly

  16. Feb 28, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

    NY Senate

  17. Jan 16, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES

    NY Assembly

Read the record