Albany —On Tuesday, February 26, 2019 the New York State Assembly passed Seawright’s Equal Rights Amendment Bill (A.271/S.3249), to guarantee equal rights for women in New York State’s Constitution.

While New York State is one of the most progressive states in the nation, tackling issues such as paid family leave, equal rights are not explicitly provided for in the State’s constitution.  In recent years, there have been efforts to roll back women’s rights in education, health, employment, and even domestic violence.  A State level ERA would ensure that New York State women are protected from sex-based discrimination.  Many are unaware that equal rights are not currently enshrined in the US Constitution.  To this day, the right to vote is the only right guaranteed to women in the constitution.  Congresswoman Maloney has championed and reintroduced a Federal ERA 12 times, but it has not yet received a vote.

"With the federal political atmosphere changing, there is a renewed call to ensure that basic equal rights are guaranteed for women.  I am proud to have introduced and passed an Equal Rights Amendment Bill in Albany and I applaud Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney for reintroducing this important legislation every year since she has been in office.  We are determined to end sex-based discrimination and guarantee equal rights for women under our constitutions,” Seawright said.

Assembly Bill 271 will be delivered to the Senate.