Bill
Bill > A00860
NY A00860
NY A00860Prohibits drug, cannabis or alcohol testing of pregnant or postpartum individuals and newborns unless the individual consents and it is within the scope of medical care, or the testing is necessary for a medical emergency.
summary
Introduced
01/08/2025
01/08/2025
In Committee
05/11/2026
05/11/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 General Assembly
Bill Summary
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to prohibiting drug, cannabis or alcohol testing of pregnant or postpartum individuals and newborns
AI Summary
This bill, known as the "Maternal Health, Dignity and Consent Act," amends public health law to prohibit healthcare professionals from conducting drug, cannabis, or alcohol tests on pregnant or postpartum individuals and newborns unless specific conditions are met. A "drug" is defined as a controlled substance, "cannabis" refers to marijuana as defined in the penal law, and a "drug, cannabis or alcohol test" involves analyzing a biological sample like urine or hair for the presence of these substances. The bill mandates that such testing can only occur if the individual (or their authorized representative for a newborn) provides prior written and oral informed consent, and the test is within the scope of their medical care. This consent process must be voluntary, clearly explain potential legal consequences like reporting to child protective services, detail the confidentiality of results, state the medical purpose, and describe the test itself, all in understandable language and without coercion. An exception is made for medical emergencies where delaying treatment to obtain consent would pose an immediate risk to life or health, but even then, the results must be communicated to the individual. Furthermore, healthcare professionals cannot refuse treatment to a pregnant or postpartum individual or a newborn if they refuse such a test, and the bill does not waive other existing informed consent requirements.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services, Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (51)
Linda Rosenthal (D)*,
Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (D),
Chris Burdick (D),
Noah Burroughs (D),
Robert Carroll (D),
Monique Chandler-Waterman (D),
Sarah Clark (D),
Catalina Cruz (D),
Brian Cunningham (D),
Maritza Davila (D),
Manny De Los Santos (D),
Jeffrey Dinowitz (D),
Harvey Epstein (D),
Emily Gallagher (D),
Jessica González-Rojas (D),
Andrew Hevesi (D),
Larinda Hooks (D),
Pamela Hunter (D),
Chantel Jackson (D),
Paula Kay (D),
Anna Kelles (D),
Ron Kim (D),
Charles Lavine (D),
Grace Lee (D),
Dana Levenberg (D),
Jen Lunsford (D),
Demond Meeks (D),
Marcela Mitaynes (D),
Diana Moreno (D),
Steve Otis (D),
Amy Paulin (D),
Steven Raga (D),
Jenifer Rajkumar (D),
Karines Reyes (D),
Gabriella Romero (D),
Nader Sayegh (D),
Rebecca Seawright (D),
Amanda Septimo (D),
Maryjane Shimsky (D),
Sarahana Shrestha (D),
Jo Anne Simon (D),
Tony Simone (D),
Michaelle Solages (D),
Phara Souffrant Forrest (D),
Yudelka Tapia (D),
Al Taylor (D),
Claire Valdez (D),
David Weprin (D),
Carrie Woerner (D),
Jordan Wright (D),
Stefani Zinerman (D),
Last Action
print number 860a (on 05/22/2026)
Official Document
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