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Senate bill · S6578 (2025-26)

Provides that consenting registrants of the adoption information registry may pre-authorize the release of identifying information

PassedLatest action May 28, 2026

New York State Senate

Same as A7840, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Passed as A7840, the matching Assembly bill.

Sponsor

Michelle Hinchey

State Senator, District 41 · Democratic/Working Families

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Summary

Provides that consenting registrants of the adoption information registry may pre-authorize the release of identifying information.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Public Health Law.

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

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Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

To expand opportunities to consent to the release of identifying infor- mation held by the adoption registry.

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

Where it stands

Passed the legislature and is awaiting a signature.

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

Committee

Health · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Health · New York State Senate.

Cosponsors

Nader Sayegh

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab)
  • Democratic1

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

The sponsor's argument

Why Michelle Hinchey says this is needed

Many people use New York's adoption registry to reconnect with their family members. Due to the sensitivity of the information held by the registry, including identifying information such as names and addresses, New York State rightfully ensures the privacy of such information by requiring that all parties consent to its release. However, because current law requires final consent from registrants, which must be given at the time of the request rather than upon entering the registry, in cases of death or serious injury, it can become impossible for that final consent to be given. In situations like this, their distant family members are often unable to learn that person's identity. This legislation would facilitate the release of identifying information in situations in which an individual would have wished for that informa- tion to be released, but, due to death or other circumstances, is at the present time and, despite their previous wishes, unable to consent to that release. It does so by directing the department of health to create a form which can be used to consent in advance of the release of such information upon request by another registrant.

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 SenateMay 28, 2026Result: passedSenate vote on A7840, the matching Assembly bill.

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

  • Vote: Committee vote · Health

    Senate HealthMay 5, 2026Result: passed

    (15) (0) (0) (0)

  • Vote: Floor vote

    NY SenateJun 11, 2025Result: passed

    (59) (0) (0) (4)

  • Vote: Committee vote · Health

    Senate HealthMay 13, 2025Result: passed

    (13) (0) (0) (1)

Full history

  1. May 28, 2026

    3RD Reading CAL.977

    3RD READING CAL.977

    NY Senate

  2. May 28, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED SENATE

    NY Senate

  3. May 28, 2026

    Substituted

    SUBSTITUTED BY A7840A

    NY Senate

  4. May 7, 2026

    Advanced to Third Reading

    ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

    NY Senate

  5. May 6, 2026

    2ND Report CAL.

    2ND REPORT CAL.

    NY Senate

Show full history (20 earlier events)
  1. May 5, 2026

    1ST Report CAL.977

    1ST REPORT CAL.977

    NY Senate

  2. May 5, 2026

    Sent to the executive

    DELIVERED TO SENATE

    NY Assembly

  3. May 5, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED ASSEMBLY

    NY Assembly

  4. May 5, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO HEALTH

    NY Senate

  5. Mar 12, 2026

    Advanced to Third Reading CAL.292

    ADVANCED TO THIRD READING CAL.292

    NY Assembly

  6. Mar 10, 2026

    Reported out of committee

    REPORTED

    NY Assembly

  7. Mar 6, 2026

    Amend and Recommit to Health

    AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HEALTH

    NY Senate

  8. Mar 5, 2026

    Amend and Recommit to Health

    AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HEALTH

    NY Assembly

  9. Jan 7, 2026

    Died in Assembly

    DIED IN ASSEMBLY

    NY Assembly

  10. Jan 7, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO HEALTH

    NY Senate

  11. Jan 7, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO HEALTH

    NY Assembly

  12. Jun 11, 2025

    Sent to the executive

    DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

    NY Senate

  13. Jun 11, 2025

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED SENATE

    NY Senate

  14. Jun 11, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO HEALTH

    NY Assembly

  15. May 27, 2025

    Reported out of committee

    REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES

    NY Assembly

  16. May 15, 2025

    Advanced to Third Reading

    ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

    NY Senate

  17. May 14, 2025

    2ND Report CAL.

    2ND REPORT CAL.

    NY Senate

  18. May 13, 2025

    1ST Report CAL.1092

    1ST REPORT CAL.1092

    NY Senate

  19. Apr 11, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO HEALTH

    NY Assembly

  20. Mar 17, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO HEALTH

    NY Senate