ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--A BILL IN ALBANY TRIES TO EXPAND ACCESS TO EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION ON SUNY AND CUNY COLLEGE CAMPUSES.  

THE legislation WILL REQUIRE SUNY AND CUNY TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE VENDING MACHINE WITH EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE.  

“Having emergency contraception in vending machines that are accessible twenty-four hours for students is an excellent way to prevent unintended pregnancy,” said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas (D-Assembly District 34).

SOME LAWMAKERS ALSO SAid COLLEGE CAMPUSES PLAY A BIG ROLE PROVIDING HEALTHCARE ACCESS TO STUDENTS.  

“Especially in the area of reproductive healthcare resources, our college campuses are a resource for many students who don’t necessarily have those resources on their own,” said Sen. Lea Webb (D-52nd Senate District). 

SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SAid THEY WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THE LEGISLATION BUT THEY DON’T THINK IT SHOULD BE A PRIORITY. 

SOME ADVOCATES SAid THIS LEGISLATION BY IMPROVING ACCESS WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT STEP FOR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE AND REMOVING THE STIGMA AROUND REPRODUCTIVE CARe. 

“When we see it right in front of our eyes, that’s how we normalize it within our society, that’s how we remove stigmas. When Plan B is right there on your college campus that’s showing you, this is okay, this is normal, if this is something you need you can get that,” said Gabriela Lopez Castillo, an advocate with IGNITE. 

THE LEGISLATION IS CURRENTLY IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES.