A measure meant to increase child care programs for families in New York was approved Monday by Gov. Kathy Hochul, drawing praise from advocates due to the measure's eye toward expanding access. 

The new law will remove requirements for parents to work in order to access the state-subsidized programs. 

The move was praised by progressive advocates, who said the law will help simplify a time-consuming process.  

“This is significant, because the previous threshold put undue hardship on many families," said Shoshana Hershkowitz, the statewide organizer for education and child care at the group Citizen Action. "Signing this bill into law means that parents who go to school, parents who are caregivers to other family members and parents who are unable to work for any reason will still be able to access child care for their young ones.”

At the same time, advocates are also calling on the governor to approve a separate child care measure that is meant to extend the enrollment period from 12 months to 24, a move they said would reduce the burden on working families receiving aid for the programs. 

New York is set to expand its child care programs and eligibility in the coming years under money approved in the state budget earlier this year, adding billions of dollars to programs and drawing in more families.