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A 4018

Establishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act and requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and 22 co-sponsors

Requires hospitals and perinatal facilities to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program to reduce racial disparities in pregnancy and childbirth care.

ORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.291
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 4018

Summary: New York A 4018 – Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act

Overview

A 4018, titled the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act, would require hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program. The bill aims to address disparities in perinatal treatment and outcomes by ensuring care settings adopt training and practices designed to reduce bias in maternal and newborn care.

  • Bill number: A 4018
  • Status: Referred to Health (as of January 30, 2025)
  • Introduced: January 30, 2025
  • Primary sponsor: Phara Souffrant Forrest
  • Cosponsors include: Sarahana Shrestha, Dana Levenberg, Demond Meeks, Eddie Gibbs, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Zohran Mamdani, Emily Gallagher, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Harvey Epstein, Jen Lunsford
  • Related companion: S 6983 (Senate)

Purpose and Intent

  • To reduce racial and other disparities in perinatal care and outcomes by formalizing the use of an evidence-based implicit bias program in facilities that provide perinatal services.
  • The bill seeks to promote dignity and equity in pregnancy and childbirth by addressing biases that can influence decision-making, communication, and care standards.

Key Provisions (as stated)

  • Mandate: Hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care must implement an evidence-based implicit bias program.
  • Scope: Applies to perinatal care settings (hospitals and other relevant facilities that deliver perinatal services).
  • Evidence-based standard: The program must be based on established, research-backed practices for reducing implicit bias in patient care.

Note: The available information does not provide detailed components of the program, specific training requirements, reporting, funding, or enforcement mechanisms. The text summarized here indicates the core requirement without enumerating procedural details.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: Hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care (e.g., maternity services, obstetric and neonatal care providers).
  • Patients: Pregnant individuals and newborns who receive care at these facilities, particularly groups affected by disparities in perinatal outcomes.

Implementation and Timeline

  • The bill’s current status shows only referral to the Health Committee; no enactment date, funding allocation, or phased rollout timeline is provided in the summary.
  • No specified penalties or compliance deadlines are noted in the available information.

Oversight and Enforcement

  • Specific oversight, reporting requirements, and penalties are not detailed in the summary. If enacted, these would typically be defined in the bill’s full text or accompanying regulations.

Relationship to Other Legislation

  • Companion bill: S 6983 in the Senate (same or similar provisions), indicating parallel consideration in the Senate.

Next Steps

  • As of now, the bill is in the Health committee stage. If advanced, it would move through committee deliberations, potential amendments, and floor votes in both chambers, followed by any conference or gubernatorial actions as applicable.

This summary reflects the information available for A 4018 and notes where details are not specified in the provided materials.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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