What's happening
This bill requires hospitals in New York to provide parents of premature infants with easy-to-understand written information about care, complications, and available resources.
Why it matters
Addresses a critical knowledge gap by ensuring parents of premature infants receive detailed, accessible information about unique health risks and complications their babies may face—helping families prepare for challenges they might not otherwise anticipate.
Promotes early intervention by informing parents about developmental screenings and healthcare services available for premature infants, potentially improving long-term health and developmental outcomes.
Seeks to reduce hospital readmissions and improve infant health by educating families on infection prevention and proper care techniques, which can be especially crucial for vulnerable premature newborns.
Recognizes the diverse backgrounds of New York families by mandating that materials be written in clear, easily understandable language and updated regularly, aiming to ensure comprehension and equitable access to support resources regardless of socioeconomic status.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Educate Parents on Preemies
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
11 Co-sponsors
4 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to health
- 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.
Premature Infant Info for Parents
In Senate Committee · Health · Sponsor Anna Kaplan
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3618
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 29, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. GUNTHER, BENEDETTO, CAHILL, JAFFEE, COOK, COLTON, RIVERA, BRONSON, MOSLEY, MONTESANO, McDONOUGH -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. CRESPO, LUPARDO, PEOPLES-STOKES, PERRY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to patient discharge information concerning certain premature newborn infants
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2803-w to read as follows:
§ 2803-w. Patient discharge information. 1. Any hospital that provides birthing services shall provide written, educational material containing information about the possible complications, proper care and support associated with newborn infants who are born premature at less than thirty-seven weeks gestational age. The written information shall include but not be limited to, the following:
(a) The unique health issues affecting infants born premature, such as: increased risk of developmental problems; nutritional challenges; infection; chronic lung disease (bronchopulmonary dysplasia); vision and hearing impairment; breathing problems; feeding; maintaining body temperature; jaundice; hyperactivity; infant mortality and long-term complications associated with fine motor skills, reading, writing, mathematics and speaking;
(b) The proper care needs of premature infants, developmental screenings and monitoring and healthcare services available to premature infants;
(c) infectious disease awareness and methods to prevent or minimize infections common to premature infants; and
(d) Community resources to assist parents and family members with the care and support of premature infants.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00418-01-9
A. 3618 2
2. Such materials shall be written in clear language to educate parents of premature infants across a variety of socioeconomic statuses and shall be updated at least every two years.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.