What's happening
This bill requires the Department of Health to provide information on neonatal abstinence syndrome screening, intervention, and counseling for pregnant women on its women's health website.
Why it matters
Raises awareness about neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). By requiring the Department of Health to share information on NAS, the bill helps educate pregnant women and the public about the risks associated with opioid and other substance exposures during pregnancy, potentially leading to earlier recognition and intervention.
Promotes preventive healthcare. Making NAS screening, intervention, and counseling information accessible supports early detection and management, which can improve outcomes for newborns and reduce healthcare costs associated with untreated NAS.
Addresses a growing public health concern. The focus on NAS reflects increasing rates of opioid use and substance dependence among pregnant women, aiming to better equip healthcare providers and patients with tools to respond to this crisis.
Improves transparency and resource accessibility. Placing this information on a dedicated women’s health website makes critical resources available to a wider audience, empowering individuals to seek support and make informed healthcare decisions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Inform Pregnant Women on NAS
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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.
Inform Pregnant Women of NAS
In Assembly Committee · Health · Sponsor Michael Cusick
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7061
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 3, 2018
Introduced by Sen. PERALTA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring the department of health to provide information on neonatal abstinence syndrome screening, intervention, and counseling for pregnant women on a department website devoted to advancing women's health initiatives
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraphs (u) and (v) of subdivision 1 of section 266 of the public health law, as added by chapter 342 of the laws of 2014, are amended and a new paragraph (w) is added to read as follows:
(u) Syphilis screening for all pregnant women or other women at increased risk; [and]
(v) Well-woman visits to obtain recommended preventive services[.]; and
(w) Neonatal abstinence syndrome screening, interventions and counseling for pregnant women.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00518-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring the department of health to provide information on neonatal abstinence syndrome screening, intervention, and counseling for pregnant women on a department website devoted to advancing women's health initi- atives
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: Amends paragraphs (u) and (v) of subdivision 1 of section 266 of the Public Health Law.
Section 2: Sets forth the effective date.
Justification
The Affordable Care Act made several changes to public programs, insur- ance and other aspects of health policy that affect women's health. In 2010, provisions took effect on the federal level and were implemented into state law which expand coverage of certain preventative measures for women's health. In 2014, under Chapter 342, an up-to-date website was established under the Department of Health to assist women in under- standing these and other changes as they take effect. The website also provides timely information on health issues that are important to women while making educational materials and resources available to help raise awareness about women's health.
To date, the website contains a wide range of information regarding women's health, including important material for pregnant women. Over the past several years there has been an alarming increase in babies being born dependent on painkillers, opioids and in the case of pregnant women addicted to heroin who opt for methadone treatment, their babies are being born addicted to methadone as well.
Amid this national epidemic of opioid and heroin abuse and the continu- ing surge in drug-dependent infants being born at an alarming rate, it is important that we do everything possible to educate woman about the dangers of drug and alcohol use while pregnant. Adding information about neonatal abstinence syndrome to the New York State Department of Health's website will be a helpful tool to disseminate this information to a broad amount of people state-wide.
Prior legislative history
2017: No Same As/A1200 - Referred to Health 2016: No Same As/A9096 - Referred to Health
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.