From July 2019 it is illegal to declaw a cat in New York State.
The only exception is for a therapeutic purpose, however this only relates to a medical condition that affects the cat's health.
The text of the law is below and is very clear that a cat should not be declawed for any reason that relates to the owner's convenience or health.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:Section 1. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new section 381 to read as follows:§ 381. PROHIBITION OF THE DECLAWING OF CATS. 1. NO PERSON SHALL PERFORM AN ONYCHECTOMY (DECLAWING), PARTIAL OR COMPLETE PHALANGECTOMY OR TENDONECTOMY PROCEDURE BY ANY MEANS ON A CAT WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, EXCEPT WHEN NECESSARY FOR A THERAPEUTIC PURPOSE. THERAPEUTIC PURPOSE MEANS THE NECESSITY TO ADDRESS THE PHYSICAL MEDICAL CONDITION OF THE CAT, SUCH AS AN EXISTING OR RECURRING ILLNESS, INFECTION, DISEASE, INJURY OR ABNORMAL CONDITION IN THE CLAW THAT COMPROMISES THE CAT'S HEALTH. THERAPEUTIC PURPOSE DOES NOT INCLUDE COSMETIC OR AESTHETIC REASONS OR REASONS OF CONVENIENCE IN KEEPING OR HANDLING THE CAT.2. ANY PERSON WHO PERFORMS AN ONYCHECTOMY, PARTIAL OR COMPLETE PHALANGECTOMY OR TENDONECTOMY PROCEDURE ON ANY CAT WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE PUNISHABLE BY A CIVIL PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS.§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.