In the closing days of the 2022 legislative session, the State Senate unanimously passed S1852B, authorizing New York to become the 39th state to have an agency to represent the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing. The Senate’s action follows earlier passage, also unanimous, by the Assembly.
The legislation now awaits signing into law by Governor Hochul and the authorization of funding for staffing and administrative costs. HLAA members and friends are urged to contact the Governor to urge her to enact the legislation.
Send your letters by mail (preferable), or email, or both. Also, please call the governor’s office.
MAIL: Hon. Kathleen C. Hochul, Governor, Capitol Bldg., Albany, NY 12224
PHONE: (518) 474-8390 (office hours 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday)
E-FORM: https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form
HLAA was joined in advocating for the Commission by the Empire State Association of the Deaf and New York DeafBlind Advocates. Our collective voices were amplified through the NYS Coalition of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing, which came together in recognition the need for informed representation in Albany of our respective disabilities and needs.
Confirmation of the legislation and its text, can be found at: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/A6710
Expressions of gratitude for their leadership may be sent to the bills’ lead sponsors:
Assembly Member Kenneth Zebrowski (ZebrowskiK@nyassembly.gov) and
Senator James Skoufis (skoufis@nysenate.gov).
Emails to the Assembly and Senate bills’ co-sponsors listed on the web are also encouraged.