Relates to the definition of "reproductive health services" for purposes of the offense of criminal interference with health care services or religious worship in the second degree; defines "legally protected health activity"; increases the penalties for the criminal interference with health care services or religious worship in the first and second degrees, and for aggravated interference with health care services in the second degree.
Creates a department of health education and outreach program on reproductive health services for consumers, patients, educators, and health care providers related to reproductive health services available in New York state including, but not limited to: access to family planning services such as contraceptives and pregnancy testing, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections; makes related provisions.
Relates to women's health in correctional facilities; establishes a women's health education program; requires HIV and STD testing to be offered to incarcerated individuals; provides pregnant incarcerated individuals with access to prenatal vitamins as well as a specialized diet tailored to pregnancy needs; requires a study and report on women's health in prison.
Bill A 8144 requires health insurance policies to include postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy as part of their minimum maternity care coverage. It amends specific sections of the insurance law to ensure this service is explicitly covered for new mothers. This means that health insurance contracts issued, renewed, or modified after the bill's effective date must provide coverage for this therapy. The bill aims to standardize the inclusion of postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy within maternity benefits.
Requires the commissioner of health to promulgate regulations requiring that the addition of, decertification of, or changes in the method of delivery of perinatal services by a general hospital be subject to an application under article 28 of the public health law that requires review and approval by the council.
Requires disclosure of information concerning non-invasive prenatal screening for chromosomal abnormalities including the benefits and limitations of non-invasive prenatal testing, the difference between non-invasive prenatal testing and prenatal diagnostic testing, and current recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine, and the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG).
Suspends all unnecessary travel to states that have discriminatory laws for access to women's reproductive health services, including but not limited to, limitations on access to abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
This bill (A 3508) directs New York's health department to study how doulas - support staff for pregnant people - can be better integrated into hospitals and birthing centers. The study will examine current practices, identify successful programs in New York and other states, and recommend specific criteria for facilities to become "doula friendly" (e.g., visitor status, inclusion in birth rooms, data collection). It does not change existing laws but will produce a final report by December 2027 with recommendations for the state and healthcare facilities. The goal is to improve access to doula care within the maternal health system.
Prohibits 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.
Establishes a duty to inform certain patients about the risks associated with cesarean section for patients undergoing a planned or unplanned primary cesarean section.
