Bill > A05478

This bill amends the New York public health law to prohibit physicians, medical personnel, and others from conducting drug or alcohol testing or screening on pregnant women or newborns without their prior written and verbal informed consent, unless the testing is necessary for a medical emergency. The bill also adds a new provision to the education law that considers performing such non-consensual testing a violation. The purpose is to protect the rights and privacy of pregnant women and newborns by requiring their consent for drug and alcohol testing, except in urgent medical situations.