ALBANY, NY — Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay (D-Rock Hill) wrapped up a legislative session with several prime-sponsored bills and many cosponsored bills passing both houses, as well as major progress on local and statewide issues ranging from public health and emergency preparedness to cost-of-living relief and children’s well-being, according to her office.

“It’s been a deeply rewarding first session as an elected representative,” Kay said. “From strengthening public safety to supporting local families and businesses, we achieved real results for Sullivan and Orange Counties. It has been instructive to collaborate with fellow lawmakers, advocates, and local leaders who are equally committed to the public good."

Focusing on Public Safety

One of Kay’s central priorities was enhancing public safety through meaningful support for emergency responders and law enforcement, including corrections officers. Key wins included passing A.203B, which requires hospitals to establish violence prevention programs and conduct regular workplace safety assessments, and A.6756, which she sponsored and allows for death benefits for corrections officers in Orange County who work past their retirement date. In addition, she sponsored A.8027, which would provide mental health counseling to all correctional officers and facility staff. The latter bill made it to the corrections committee for study, and Kay has promised to continue her efforts on this important measure.

She also sponsored a bill to allow increased paid leave for government employees who are on active military assignments (A.8822). Kay is particularly proud of the Lieutenant Joseph Banish Mental Health Act (A.6721A), which formally establishes a peer-to-peer mental health support system for police personnel. Throughout the legislative session, Kay advocated for EMS, law enforcement, and fire service protections and supports, continuing her focus on public service and local cooperation.

Building Healthcare Access

Assembly Member Kay advanced several initiatives designed to improve health care affordability and increase access, particularly in areas with less dense populations. As a member of the Assembly Insurance Committee, she championed bills to expand mandatory insurance coverage to include prenatal vitamins (A.2675), no-cost inhalers (A.128A) and speech therapy to treat stuttering (A.7321A). In addition, Kay advocated for bills aimed at addressing addiction recovery and opioid treatment access, including the Recovery Ready Workplace Act (A.521) to help individuals who are embracing sobriety succeed professionally.

Using a community-led approach, Kay prioritized the needs of seniors, veterans, families, and children throughout the legislative session. She fought to expand pharmaceutical access in rural communities, making it easier for people to obtain critical medications, including legislation that would empower pharmacists to provide contraceptive services (A.6917A), providing accessibility and privacy to people for family planning.

Kay was instrumental in sponsoring and passing an important correction to Chapter 637 of 2024, which is designed to protect patients by allowing the Center for Discovery to develop a state-of-the-art Skilled Nursing Unit (A.8694) in Rock Hill. This would reduce the need for transfers to nursing homes that may not be prepared to address complex conditions faced by many of the Center’s patients. Finally, with strong community support, Kay helped pass the Medical Aid in Dying Act to give terminally ill patients control over their end-of-life plans (A.136).

Prioritizing Families and Children

Kay also stood up for legislation supporting school libraries and librarians, early education, and child safety, including A.5434, which requires OCFS to provide luggage to youth in foster care, and A.8727A, which directs a statewide study on recess in elementary schools to evaluate its impacts on academic and emotional development. She also cosponsored the Freedom to Read Act (A.7777), which will empower library staff to curate media materials for students without censorship at developmentally appropriate levels.

Protecting Local Investments

Recognizing the unique economic landscape of the district, Kay also introduced and secured critical bi-partisan support for A.8050, which protects aid to host counties and municipalities with gaming facilities. This will ensure that communities with existing casinos, like the Town of Thompson and Sullivan County continue to receive the same level of state revenue they receive now even after downstate casinos become operational. This bill moved from Racing & Wagering and into the Ways & Means Committee of the Assembly.

Making Sports Accessible

Kay proudly cosponsored A.8330A, which clarifies provisions allowing the use of crossbows in any area where longbows are permitted, after community members expressed support. The bill passed both houses and will make it possible for people with physical limitations to participate in hunting for sport, community tradition, and self-sufficiency.

“I look forward to more people being able to participate in bow season this year, when the governor signs this bill,” Kay said.

Looking Ahead

Kay plans to build on the momentum of the several bail revision measures she introduced, which received strong bipartisan support in the Assembly and were assigned to committees for study. In particular, the NYS School Board’s Association, the Hudson Valley Coalition of Superintendents, and the NYS DA’s Association have all expressed support for imposing bail when threats of mass harm are made in schools (A.6597). Other related measures would authorize judges to impose bail when an individual is accused of committing felony arson (A.6074), animal abuse (A.6722), and selling controlled substances or synthetic opioids (A.7006). Kay made revisions to bail reform a top priority during her campaign, and she plans to deliver on those promises.

Kay said she intends to continue to advocate for the needs of the community. In particular, she hopes to continue momentum that was begun this year with A.4821, which would require the installation of safety fencing on NYSBA bridges in the Hudson Valley. Kay sponsored the legislation after collaborating with the Hudson Valley/Westchester chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in response to recent, tragic losses. The Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) also supports the bill.

Kay is committed to passing the Packaging Reduction and Infrastructure Recycling Act (A.1749). While the bill did not come to the floor for a vote during the 2025 session, Kay has vowed to assist the Bill’s sponsor, especially by partnering with farms and the Farm Bureau to improve the legislation for the upcoming session.

"Public service is never a solo effort," Kay said. "I’m proud of what we achieved this session and grateful for all the ways the communities in Sullivan and Orange Counties have made their voices heard. Of course, we always hope for more, but progress requires time, consideration, and negotiation. I look forward to spending more time in the community and bringing unfinished work back to Albany in January."