On June 27, 2018, a new law was signed in New York that allows parents who are at risk of immigration enforcement because of their status to designate a standby guardian to care for their children in the event the parent is detained or deported.
Randye Retkin of LegalHealth and Lynelle Bosworth of Greenberg Taurig (right and left) directly behind Governor Andrew Cuomo
Previously, the New York Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act only allowed parents to designate a Standby Guardian in the case of serious illness. This law will have a direct and meaningful impact on the immigrant community, especially the children who would otherwise have ended up in the care of the state. LegalHealth, a division of the New York Legal Assistance Group, has medical-legal partnerships with 32 hospital partners, and along with the Family Center and pro bono partner Greenberg Traurig, LLP, led the community coalition that played critical roles in helping to both draft and lobby for the legislation. This law is another example of the patients-to-policy work that medical-legal partnerships are uniquely positioned to help advance. Click here to read more about the law.