What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Authorizes the commissioner of health to establish a public outreach campaign regarding spina bifida prevention and awareness
In Senate Committee · Health · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S7590
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the spina bifida education and outreach program
Purpose
The purpose of this legislation is to help prevent Spina Bifida and raise awareness to help educate the public regarding this birth defect by authorizing the commissioner of health to establish a public outreach campaign.
Summary of provisions
Subdivision 1 of section 207 of the public health law is amended by chapter 471 by adding the following: Spina bifida, a permanently disabling birth defect occurring at the end of the first month of pregnancy which involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord or its coverings, and the importance of encouraging all women in their childbearing years to increase their folic acid intake in order to reduce the incidence of spina bifida.
Justification
Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States. This disability involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord in the first month of pregnancy. Approximately 70,000 Americans currently live with Spina Bifida. Seven out of every 10,000 births in the United States is a baby with Spina Bifida. This amounts to about 5 babies born each day with Spina Bifida.
An estimated 4,000 New Yorkers are living with Spina Bifida. Health and support services are critical to their well being. Folic acid is the single most effective weapon against Spina Bifida. Studies have shown that taking folic acid decreases the risk for neural tube defects by up to 70 percent if all women took folic acid daily prior to and during pregnancy. It is estimated that 50 percent of all pregnancies are unplanned; folic acid education can help women of child-bearing age understand the benefits of taking folic acid.
Legislative history
2007/08 - A10799A - Referred to Health 2009/10 A6951 - Referred to Health 2011/12 - A1884 - Ref to Ways and Means 2013 - A5933 - Passed Assembly
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.