Steps to Enact the Law
How the Eldercare Transparency Act Becomes Law in New York
PROGRESS UPDATES
1. Formalized the idea that became the ETA
2. ETA bill draft complete (read it at the above icon)
3. Meetings with legislators and state and local politicians for sponsorship.
Stage 1: From Idea to Bill
Step 1 – The Idea
It begins with a problem that needs solving. In this case, the need for transparency and accountability in eldercare.
Step - 2 The Draft Bill
An initial draft bill is created to submit to legislators for sponsorship. You can read our draft bill.
Step 3 – Sponsorship and Drafting Legislative Language
A legislator (Assembly Member or Senator) agrees to sponsor the Eldercare Transparency Act bill. With the help of the nonpartisan Bill Drafting Commission, the policy is turned into formal bill text.
Step 4 – Sponsor Approval
The sponsoring legislator reviews the draft, requests edits if needed, and approves it for introduction.
Step 5 – Filing
The bill is filed with the chamber clerk. It receives an official number:
A-#### in the Assembly
S-#### in the Senate
Step 6 – Official Introduction
The bill is printed, recorded, and posted online. At this point, the Eldercare Transparency Act officially exists as a bill.
Stage 2: From Bill to Law
Step 7 – Committee Review
The bill is referred to a committee (for example, Health or Aging). Committee members may hold hearings, hear testimony, and then vote on whether to move the bill forward.
Step 8 – Three Readings
Every bill must be “read” three times on three separate days before it can be voted on. This rule ensures legislators and the public can see the final text. A Governor’s “message of necessity” can waive this requirement.
Step 9 – Floor Vote in the First House
The full Assembly or Senate debates and votes. A simple majority is needed to pass.
Step 10 – Action in the Second House
The bill then goes through the same committee and floor process in the other chamber. Both versions must match exactly.
Step 11 – Reconciling Differences
If the two houses pass different versions, the sponsors work until the same text is approved in both.
Step 12 – Governor’s Desk
Once passed by both chambers, the bill goes to the Governor, who has three choices:
Sign it – it becomes law
Veto it – it is rejected (the Legislature can override with a two-thirds vote in each chamber)
Take no action – if the Legislature is in session, the bill becomes law after 10 days (not counting Sundays). If out of session, it “pocket vetoes” after 30 days.
Step 13 – Chaptered into Law
Once signed (or passed without signature), the bill receives a chapter number and becomes part of New York law.
Step 14 – Effective Date
The law takes effect on the date specified in the text, sometimes immediately, sometimes months later to give agencies and providers time to prepare.