Bill > S2662

Introduced Session

This bill requires certified midwives and physicians who practice obstetrics to provide pregnant women information on birthing options prior to delivery. Under the bill, a certified midwife or physician is to provide a pregnant patient, in writing in English and in at least the seven most common non-English languages spoken by individuals with limited-English proficiency in this State based on the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey data, during the initial consultation, and prior to the onset of labor as determined by the Department of Health in consultation with midwives and physicians, with evidence-based information on all birthing options that are available to the patient, including, but not limited to, planned hospital birth induced with Pitocin or an epidural, hospital water births, home water births, hospital non-Medicaid births, home non-Medicaid births, scheduled births and scheduled C-sections, and emergency C-sections, health risks associated with each birthing option, health risks to the mother and infant associated with an epidural, Pitocin, and other medications. The certified midwife or physician is also required to provide on an annual basis, in a language that a pregnant patient understands, evidence-based education on all birthing options available to the patient in accordance with the provisions of the bill. Under the bill's provisions, the Commissioner of Health is to promulgate rules and regulations as are necessary to effectuate the provisions of this bill.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Angela Mcknight (D)*,  Britnee Timberlake (D)*,  Renee Burgess (D),  Teresa Ruiz (D), 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document