NY State Senate Bill S5991A

Current Bill Status - Passed Senate

Introduced
In Committee
On Floor Calendar
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
Delivered to Governor
Signed/Vetoed by Governor

Your Voice

Please enter your contact information

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Address *

A valid email address is required.

Home address search or enter your address manually *

Home address is used to determine the senate district in which you reside. Your support or opposition to this bill is then shared immediately with the senator who represents you.

Optional services from the NY State Senate:

Create an account. An account allows you to officially support or oppose key legislation, sign petitions with a single click, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Include a custom message for your Senator? (Optional)

Enter a message to your senator. Many New Yorkers use this to share the reasoning behind their support or opposition to the bill. Others might share a personal anecdote about how the bill would affect them or people they care about.

Leave this field blank

Actions

view actions (9)

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jun 01, 2023	referred to health delivered to assembly passed senate
May 30, 2023	advanced to third reading
May 24, 2023	2nd report cal.
May 23, 2023	1st report cal.1261
May 18, 2023	print number 5991a
May 18, 2023	amend and recommit to women's issues
Mar 24, 2023	referred to women's issues

Votes

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

Original

A (Active)

Co-Sponsors

S5991 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A7606
Current Committee:: Assembly Health
Law Section:: Public Health Law
Laws Affected:: Add §2500-m, Pub Health L

S5991 - Summary

Requires maternal healthcare facilities to permit doulas to be present in the operating room while a cesarean section is being performed.

S5991 - Sponsor Memo

 
BILL NUMBER: S5991

SPONSOR: PERSAUD
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to permitting doulas
to be present in the operating room while a cesarean section is being
performed

 
PURPOSE:

Establishes the right of a pregnant person to have access to their
designated doula in the operating room for the purposes of a cesarean
section.  Requires maternal healthcare facilities to post this informa-
tion electronically and in the facilities, in English as well as trans-
lated in the six most common languages in the region.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends the public health law by adding section 2500-1 that
establishes the right of a pregnant person to have their designated
doula in the operating room during a cesarean section.

Section 2 requires all maternal health facilities to post this informa-
tion on their website and in their facilities, in English and the six
most common languages in the region.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Doulas are non-clinical personnel who provide healthcare services to
pregnant persons before, during, and after pregnancy. They provide indi-
vidualized physical, emotional, and informational support, as well as
advocacy to their clients. Doula care is an evidence-based practice that
is associated with healthier birth outcomes for both a pregnant person
and their newborn infant. Due to lack of awareness, resources, and
training for those interested in joining the profession, this important
resource is underused.

A 2013 study by Gruber et. al. found that doulas serve as the pregnant
person's advocate by empowering them to make informed decisions for
themselves and their child. Continuous support by doulas during labor is
linked to significant reductions in birth complications such as cesarean
births, instrumental vaginal births, need for oxytocin augmentation, and
shortened durations of labor. After birth, doula support is associated
with positive breastfeeding outcomes, higher Apgar scores (used to
assess newborn health at birth) for newborns, and healthier overall
outcomes of the birthing parent and child.

Doula services are also an important strategy in addressing the Maternal
Health Crisis, which was prioritized in the Fiscal Year 2023 President's
Budget. A 2022 issue brief by the Office of Health Policy found that
doulas can mitigate racial inequity in maternal health outcomes by
communicating their client's needs and assisting them in navigating the
health care and social sectors. Doulas are especially impactful with
birthing parents who were socially disadvantaged, low income, unmarried,
primiparous, giving birth in a hospital without a companion, or had
experienced language/cultural barriers (Gruber et.  al., 2013). These
services have been proven to positively impact severe maternal morbidity
and mortality outcomes especially in minority communities, who have
historically faced worse maternal outcomes and less access to doula
services.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

S5991 - Bill Text download pdf

 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   5991
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              March 24, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by Sens. PERSAUD, ADDABBO, FERNANDEZ, SEPULVEDA -- read twice
   and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee
   on Women's Issues
 
 AN  ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to permitting doulas
   to be present in the operating room while a cesarean section is  being
   performed

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding  a  new  section
 2500-l to read as follows:
   §  2500-L.  CESAREAN  SECTION;  PERSONS PRESENT. 1. NO PERSON SHALL BE
 DENIED THE ABILITY TO HAVE A DOULA PRESENT IN THE  OPERATING  ROOM,  FOR
 THE DURATION SUCH PERSON IS IN AN OPERATING ROOM, WHEN SUCH PERSON IS IN
 THE OPERATING ROOM FOR THE PURPOSES OF A CESAREAN SECTION.
   2.  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REQUIRE ALL MATERNAL HEALTHCARE FACILITIES TO
 INCLUDE AND/OR POST  ON  THE  MATERNAL  HEALTHCARE  FACILITY'S  WEBPAGE,
 LOBBY,  AND  PATIENT WAITING AREAS INFORMATION STATING A BIRTHING PARENT
 IS ALLOWED TO HAVE A DOULA PRESENT IN THE OPERATING ROOM, FOR THE  DURA-
 TION  OF SUCH PERSON IS IN AN OPERATING ROOM, WHEN SUCH PERSON IS IN THE
 OPERATING ROOM FOR THE PURPOSES OF A CESAREAN SECTION. SUCH  INFORMATION
 SHALL  BE WRITTEN IN LAYPERSON'S LANGUAGE AND SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE IN
 ENGLISH AND THE SIX MOST COMMON NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY INDIVID-
 UALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY IN NEW YORK STATE AS BASED ON  THE
 MOST  RECENT  CENSUS.  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PRODUCE AND PROVIDE MATERNAL
 HEALTHCARE FACILITIES WITH INFORMATIONAL PAMPHLETS  STATING  A  BIRTHING
 PARENT  SHALL  BE ALLOWED TO HAVE A DOULA PRESENT IN THE OPERATING ROOM,
 FOR THE DURATION OF SUCH PERSON IS  IN  AN  OPERATING  ROOM,  WHEN  SUCH
 PERSON  IS IN THE OPERATING ROOM FOR THE PURPOSES OF A CESAREAN SECTION.
 THE INFORMATIONAL PAMPHLET SHALL BE: AVAILABLE IN EACH  PATIENT  WAITING
 AREA AS A PRINTED DELIVERABLE; WRITTEN IN LAYPERSON'S LANGUAGE; AND MADE
 AVAILABLE  IN  ENGLISH  AND  THE  SIX  MOST COMMON NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGES
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD10162-02-3

 S. 5991                             2
 
 SPOKEN BY INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY IN NEW YORK STATE
 AS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT CENSUS.
   § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

Co-Sponsors

S5991A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A7606
Current Committee:: Assembly Health
Law Section:: Public Health Law
Laws Affected:: Add §2500-m, Pub Health L

S5991A (ACTIVE) - Summary

Requires maternal healthcare facilities to permit doulas to be present in the operating room while a cesarean section is being performed.

S5991A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

 
BILL NUMBER: S5991A

SPONSOR: PERSAUD
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to permitting doulas
to be present in the operating room while a cesarean section is being
performed

 
PURPOSE:

Establishes the right of a pregnant person to have access to their
designated doula in the operating room for the purposes of a cesarean
section. Requires maternal healthcare facilities to post this informa-
tion electronically and in the facilities, in English as well as trans-
lated in the six most common languages in the region.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends the public health law by adding section 2500-1 that
establishes the right of a pregnant person to have their designated
doula in the operating room during a cesarean section when no other

support person is available to them.

Section 2 requires all maternal health facilities to post this informa-
tion on their website and in their facilities, in English and the six
most common languages in the region.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Doulas are non-clinical personnel who provide healthcare services to
pregnant persons before, during, and after pregnancy. They provide indi-
vidualized physical, emotional, and informational support, as well as
advocacy to their clients. Doula care is an evidence-based practice that
is associated with healthier birth outcomes for both a pregnant person
and their newborn infant. Due to lack of awareness, resources, and
training for those interested in joining the profession, this important
resource is underused.

A 2013 study by Gruber et. al. found that doulas serve as the pregnant
person's advocate by empowering them to make informed decisions for
themselves and their child. Continuous support by doulas during labor is
linked to significant reductions in birth complications such as cesarean
births, instrumental vaginal births, need for oxytocin augmentation, and
shortened durations of labor. After birth, doula support is associated
with positive breastfeeding outcomes, higher Apgar scores (used to
assess newborn health at birth) for newborns, and healthier overall
outcomes of the birthing parent and child.

Doula services are also an important strategy in addressing the Maternal
Health Crisis, which was prioritized in the Fiscal Year 2023 President's
Budget. A 2022 issue brief by the Office of Health Policy found that
doulas can mitigate racial inequity in maternal health outcomes by
communicating their client's needs and assisting them in navigating the
health care and social sectors. Doulas are especially impactful with
birthing parents who were socially disadvantaged, low income, unmarried,
primiparous, giving birth in a hospital without a companion, or had
experienced language/cultural barriers (Gruber et.  al., 2013). These
services have been proven to positively impact severe maternal morbidity
and mortality outcomes especially in minority communities, who have
historically faced worse maternal outcomes and less access to doula
services.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

S5991A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  5991--A
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              March 24, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by Sens. PERSAUD, ADDABBO, FERNANDEZ, SEPULVEDA -- read twice
   and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee
   on  Women's  Issues  --  committee  discharged,  bill amended, ordered
   reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
 
 AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to permitting  doulas
   to  be present in the operating room while a cesarean section is being
   performed
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  The  public health law is amended by adding a new section
 2500-m to read as follows:
   § 2500-M. CESAREAN SECTION; PERSONS PRESENT. 1.  NO  PERSON  SHALL  BE
 DENIED  THE  ABILITY  TO HAVE A DOULA PRESENT IN THE OPERATING ROOM, FOR
 THE DURATION SUCH PERSON IS IN AN OPERATING ROOM, WHEN SUCH PERSON IS IN
 THE OPERATING ROOM FOR THE PURPOSES OF A CESAREAN  SECTION  AND  HAS  NO
 OTHER SUPPORT PERSON AVAILABLE TO THEM.
   2.  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REQUIRE ALL MATERNAL HEALTHCARE FACILITIES TO
 INCLUDE AND/OR POST  ON  THE  MATERNAL  HEALTHCARE  FACILITY'S  WEBPAGE,
 LOBBY,  AND  PATIENT WAITING AREAS INFORMATION STATING A BIRTHING PARENT
 IS ALLOWED TO HAVE A DOULA PRESENT IN THE OPERATING ROOM, FOR THE  DURA-
 TION  OF SUCH PERSON IS IN AN OPERATING ROOM, WHEN SUCH PERSON IS IN THE
 OPERATING ROOM FOR THE PURPOSES OF A  CESAREAN  SECTION  WHEN  NO  OTHER
 SUPPORT  PERSON  IS  AVAILABLE  TO THE BIRTHING PERSON. SUCH INFORMATION
 SHALL BE WRITTEN IN LAYPERSON'S LANGUAGE AND SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE  IN
 ENGLISH AND THE SIX MOST COMMON NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY INDIVID-
 UALS  WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY IN NEW YORK STATE AS BASED ON THE
 MOST RECENT CENSUS. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PRODUCE  AND  PROVIDE  MATERNAL
 HEALTHCARE  FACILITIES  WITH  INFORMATIONAL PAMPHLETS STATING A BIRTHING
 PARENT SHALL BE ALLOWED TO HAVE A DOULA PRESENT IN THE  OPERATING  ROOM,
 FOR  THE  DURATION  OF  SUCH  PERSON  IS IN AN OPERATING ROOM, WHEN SUCH
 PERSON IS IN THE OPERATING ROOM FOR THE PURPOSES OF A CESAREAN  SECTION.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD10162-03-3

 S. 5991--A                          2
 
 THE  INFORMATIONAL  PAMPHLET SHALL BE: AVAILABLE IN EACH PATIENT WAITING
 AREA AS A PRINTED DELIVERABLE; WRITTEN IN LAYPERSON'S LANGUAGE; AND MADE
 AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND  THE  SIX  MOST  COMMON  NON-ENGLISH  LANGUAGES
 SPOKEN BY INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY IN NEW YORK STATE
 AS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT CENSUS.
   § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

Comments

Open Legislation is a forum for New York State legislation. All comments are subject to review and community moderation is encouraged.

Comments deemed off-topic, commercial, campaign-related, self-promotional; or that contain profanity, hate or toxic speech; or that link to sites outside of the nysenate.gov domain are not permitted, and will not be published. Attempts to intimidate and silence contributors or deliberately deceive the public, including excessive or extraneous posting/posts, or coordinated activity, are prohibited and may result in the temporary or permanent banning of the user. Comment moderation is generally performed Monday through Friday. By contributing or voting you agree to the Terms of Participation and verify you are over 13.

The New York State Senate

senate Bill S5991A

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - Passed Senate

Your Voice

Actions

Votes

Jun 1, 2023 - floor Vote

Floor Vote: Jun 1, 2023

May 23, 2023 - Women's Issues committee Vote

Women's Issues Committee Vote: May 23, 2023

Bill Amendments

Co-Sponsors

S5991 - Details

S5991 - Summary

S5991 - Sponsor Memo

S5991 - Bill Text download pdf

Co-Sponsors

S5991A (ACTIVE) - Details

S5991A (ACTIVE) - Summary

S5991A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

S5991A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

senate Bill S5991A

Share this bill

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - Passed Senate

Your Voice

Actions

Votes

Jun 1, 2023 - floor Vote

Floor Vote: Jun 1, 2023

May 23, 2023 - Women's Issues committee Vote

Women's Issues Committee Vote: May 23, 2023

Bill Amendments

Co-Sponsors

S5991 - Details

S5991 - Summary

S5991 - Sponsor Memo

S5991 - Bill Text download pdf

Co-Sponsors

S5991A (ACTIVE) - Details

S5991A (ACTIVE) - Summary

S5991A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

S5991A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments