New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A04018

Introduced
1/30/25  
Refer
1/30/25  
Refer
1/7/26  
Report Pass
5/11/26  
Refer
5/11/26  
Report Pass
5/29/26  

Caption

Establishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act; requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program for all health care providers involved in the perinatal care of patients within those facilities; requires the department of health to publish reports on maternal morbidity and pregnancy related deaths.

Impact

This legislation intends to address disparities in maternal health by requiring systematic data collection on maternal morbidity and pregnancy-related deaths. The New York Department of Health will be responsible for publishing reports based on this data, thus increasing transparency and accountability around maternal health outcomes. The aim is to ensure that the healthcare provided to pregnant individuals is equitable and free from bias, ultimately enhancing the quality of care received by all patients regardless of their background.

Summary

Bill A04018, known as the New York Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act, mandates that hospitals and other facilities providing perinatal care implement an evidence-based implicit bias training program for healthcare providers involved in the perinatal care of patients. The bill emphasizes the need for annual certification of clinical staff’s completion of this training, which aims to enhance awareness and reduce biases that may negatively affect maternal and infant health outcomes. The training will cover various topics, including identifying personal biases, understanding health inequities, and improving communication across diverse communities.

Contention

The act is expected to provoke discussions surrounding how implicit bias affects healthcare, with some stakeholders potentially viewing it as an unnecessary regulatory burden on healthcare providers. Critics may argue about the feasibility of implementing such training universally and whether it sufficiently addresses the root causes of health disparities. Advocates, on the other hand, will likely support the bill as a crucial step towards improving maternal health outcomes and promoting equitable healthcare practices across the state.

Companion Bills

NY S06983

Same As Establishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act; requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program for all health care providers involved in the perinatal care of patients within those facilities; requires the department of health to publish reports on maternal morbidity and pregnancy related deaths.

Previously Filed As

NY S06983

Establishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act; requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program for all health care providers involved in the perinatal care of patients within those facilities; requires the department of health to publish reports on maternal morbidity and pregnancy related deaths.

NY HB1951

Establishes the "Missouri Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act"

NY HB672

Georgia Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act; enact

NY HB884

Public Health, Department of; establish grant program for perinatal facilities to increase availability of obstetric care in low access maternity care areas and deserts

NY SB676

Health Care Facilities - Hospitals and Freestanding Birthing Centers - Perinatal Care Standards

NY A10073

Requires the department of health to develop and maternal health care providers to distribute written information about episiotomy to maternity patients.

NY S09580

Requires the department of health to develop and maternal health care providers to distribute written information about episiotomy to maternity patients.

NY S07545

Requires the department of health to develop and maternal health care providers to distribute written information about episiotomy to maternity patients.

NY HB43

AN ACT relating to maternal health disparities in perinatal care.

NY HB37

Relating to perinatal bereavement care provided by certain hospitals, a perinatal bereavement care initiative, and a perinatal bereavement care hospital recognition program.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.