Bill > A04018

This bill establishes the New York Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act, which addresses maternal health disparities and patient rights through several key provisions. The legislation requires hospitals and perinatal care facilities to implement an evidence-based implicit bias training program for all healthcare providers, which includes comprehensive education on unconscious biases, cultural competency, power dynamics, and reproductive justice. Healthcare providers must complete initial training and then undergo additional training every two years to stay current on best practices. The bill also mandates that hospitals provide expectant birthing parents with written information about their patient rights, including the right to participate in medical decisions, receive non-discriminatory care, file complaints, and understand post-discharge healthcare requirements. Additionally, the bill requires the New York Department of Health to track and publish data on severe maternal morbidity and pregnancy-related deaths, with data disaggregated by racial and ethnic identity, to help understand and address maternal health disparities. Notably, the bill highlights the significantly higher maternal mortality rates among Black individuals and aims to reduce preventable pregnancy and childbirth-related deaths by addressing systemic healthcare inequities. Lastly, the bill requires medical death certificates to include information about pregnancy status, if known, to help better understand maternal mortality.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4018