Rpld §2803-j, amd §266, add §2803-w, Pub Health L (as proposed in S.4637-A & A. 2957-A)
Requires the commissioner of health to develop and update information on possible complications from pregnancy that can endanger the life or health of the newborn or the mother; requires hospitals offering maternity or women's wellness services to provide information concerning pregnancy complications; and repeals certain provisions of the public health law relating to providing information on possible complications from pregnancy.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9133
SPONSOR: Richardson TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring the
commissioner of health to develop and update information on possible
complications from pregnancy that can endanger the life or health of the
newborn or the mother; and requiring hospitals offering maternity or
women's wellness services to provide information concerning pregnancy
complications; and to repeal certain provisions of the public health law
relating to providing information on possible complications from preg-
nancy
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to amend Chapter 718 of the Laws of 2019 to
expedite the time frame in which maternity patients receive information
regarding potential concerns from pregnancy, while maintaining a
requirement that every expecting mother receive the information.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 would make technical amendments necessary to effectuate the
changes outlined in this bill.
Section 2 would direct the Commissioner of Health (COH), in consultation
with maternal mortality review boards, health practitioners, and other
experts in the field of maternal and newborn health, to develop informa-
tion on possible complications from pregnancy that can endanger the life
or health of the newborn or mother. The information developed by the COH
would be posted on the Department of Health's website and shall also be
available in each of the top six languages spoken in the State aside
from English. The information would be made available to health care
providers and other wellness services with the intended goal of provid-
ing every maternity patient in the state a copy of the information as
early into their pregnancy as possible.
Section 3 would establish a requirement that hospitals provide the
information to maternity patients prior to discharge, and require diag-
nostic and treatment facilities to provide the information to maternity
patients at their first prenatal visit.
Section 4 would establish the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Maternal mortality rates in New York and nationally has been on the rise
for years. African American women in particular are disproportionally
affected by maternal mortality. Complications arising from pregnancy can
have a particular impact on first time mothers as they are sometimes
unaware of symptoms of a condition that may prove to be serious or even
fatal. This bill will help to provide information to all maternity
patients so they are aware of potential signs of complications and can
seek the appropriate medical treatment in a timely manner. Making people
aware of these potential complications will help to save lives and will
serve to improve health care for all our communities.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: New Legislation.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None noted.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chap-
ter of the laws of 2019, as proposed in legislative bills numbers
S.4637-A and A.2957-A, takes effect.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9133
IN ASSEMBLY
January 22, 2020
___________
Introduced by M. of A. RICHARDSON -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring the
commissioner of health to develop and update information on possible
complications from pregnancy that can endanger the life or health of
the newborn or the mother; and requiring hospitals offering maternity
or women's wellness services to provide information concerning preg-
nancy complications; and to repeal certain provisions of the public
health law relating to providing information on possible complications
from pregnancy
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision 1-e of section 2803-j of the public health law,
2 as added by a chapter of the laws of 2019 amending the public health law
3 relating to providing information on possible complications from preg-
4 nancy; and relating to screenings and referrals for serious threats to
5 life after pregnancy, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S.4637-A
6 and A.2957-A, is REPEALED.
7 § 2. Subdivision 2 of section 266 of the public health law, such
8 section as added by chapter 342 of the laws of 2014, is renumbered
9 subdivision 3 and a new subdivision 2 is added to read as follows:
10 2. The commissioner shall develop and update as necessary information
11 on possible complications from pregnancy that can endanger the life or
12 health of the newborn or the mother for purposes of advancing women's
13 health initiatives, pursuant to subdivision one of this section. Such
14 information shall be developed in consultation with any state or local
15 government maternal mortality review boards and health care providers or
16 other experts in the field of women and newborn health. Such information
17 shall be posted on the website in a printable format, in each of the top
18 six languages spoken in the state, other than English, according to the
19 latest available data from the United States Census Bureau, to allow all
20 general hospitals, diagnostic and treatment centers, obstetricians,
21 primary care providers, midwives, and other health care programs provid-
22 ing women's wellness services to provide the information to their
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04513-04-0
A. 9133 2
1 patients as part of their wellness education or prenatal care activ-
2 ities.
3 § 3. The public health law is amended to add a new section 2803-w to
4 read as follows:
5 § 2803-w. Disclosure of information concerning pregnancy compli-
6 cations. Every hospital offering maternity or women's wellness services
7 shall provide the information developed pursuant to section two hundred
8 sixty-six of this chapter, as added by chapter 342 of the laws of 2014,
9 to pregnant patients as clinically appropriate, but prior to discharge.
10 Such information shall also be provided by every diagnostic and treat-
11 ment center offering prenatal care services upon the initial prenatal
12 care visit.
13 § 4. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same
14 manner as a chapter of the laws of 2019, as proposed in legislative
15 bills numbers S.4637-A and A.2957-A, takes effect.
