Bill > S06983

This bill establishes the New York Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act, which introduces several key provisions to improve maternal healthcare and address racial disparities in perinatal care. First, the bill requires hospitals and facilities providing perinatal care to implement a comprehensive evidence-based implicit bias training program for all healthcare providers, which must include components like identifying unconscious biases, understanding cultural identity, discussing power dynamics, and exploring reproductive justice. Healthcare providers must complete initial training and then undergo refresher training every two years. Second, the bill 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. Third, the bill requires death certificates to include information about whether the deceased was pregnant at the time of death or within a year prior, if such information is known. The legislation is motivated by alarming maternal mortality statistics, particularly the disproportionately high death rates among Black individuals, with the goal of reducing preventable pregnancy-related deaths and ensuring all patients are treated with dignity and respect regardless of their race, gender, or other personal characteristics.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6983