What's happening
This bill requires the New York Department of Health to study racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding rates and report findings and recommendations to state leaders.
Why it matters
Addresses both medical and non-medical factors. The bill requires examination of not just health-related causes, but also broader system-related and social factors that contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding rates, potentially revealing root causes that go beyond the healthcare system alone.
Focuses on actionable solutions. The study must recommend specific legislative or programmatic actions to increase breastfeeding rates and reduce disparities, pushing the state toward evidence-based interventions rather than simply reporting data.
Accountability and ongoing evaluation. By mandating follow-up reports that assess the implementation and impact of prior recommendations, the bill aims to ensure that findings translate into real-world improvements and that progress is tracked over time.
Potential to improve maternal and infant health equity. By identifying areas needing more healthcare access and support, especially for minority communities, the bill could help shape resource allocation and public health strategies to address longstanding health inequities in New York.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Breastfeeding Disparities
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Substituted by A6986A
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.479
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to women's issues
- Referred to rules
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.
Study Racial Gaps in Breastfeeding
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Michaelle C. Solages
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6707
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
September 11, 2019
Introduced by Sen. BENJAMIN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring the department of health of the state of New York to conduct a study of the effects of racial and ethnic disparities on breastfeeding rates and prepare and submit a report to the governor and the legislature
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 2500-l to read as follows:
§ 2500-l. Study of the effects of racial and ethnic disparities on breastfeeding rates. 1. The department shall conduct a study on the effects of racial and ethnic disparities on breastfeeding rates. The purpose of the study shall be to:
(a) identify statewide and regional breastfeeding rates, trends, patterns, and racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding rates, and medical, non-medical, and system-related factors that may have contributed to breastfeeding rate disparities;
(b) review the extent to which racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding in a geographic area indicate the need to increase access to health care services in that area;
(c) identify ways to reduce or eliminate racial and ethnic disparities that contribute to disparities in breastfeeding rates; and
(d) review the extent to which racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding initiation and duration indicate the need to increase breastfeeding supports among racial and ethnic populations throughout the state.
2. In conducting the study, the department may seek the advice of persons specializing in the fields of neonatal and post neonatal pathology, maternal and infant health, minority health advocacy, or other related fields.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10114-03-9
S. 6707 2
3. Within one year after the effective date of this section, the department shall prepare and submit to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the senate and the minority leader of the assembly a report containing the study's findings concerning the effects of racial and ethnic disparities on breastfeeding rates and recommendations for legislative or other actions that can be undertaken to:
(a) increase breastfeeding rates in the state;
(b) reduce or eliminate racial and ethnic disparities that contribute to disparity in breastfeeding rates;
(c) increase access to health care services in the state; and
(d) increase breastfeeding support throughout the state.
4. The department may prepare and submit additional reports when the department deems it appropriate, and each report, with the exception of the first report prepared under this section, shall additionally identify the extent to which the department's prior recommendations have been successfully implemented in practice and the apparent impact that the implementation of such recommended changes has had on breastfeeding rates in the preceding years.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such date.
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 of the state of New York to conduct a study of the effects of racial and ethnic disparities on breastfeeding rates and prepare and submit a report to the governor and the legisla- ture
Purpose
To amend the Public Health Law by adding a new section to require the department of health of the state of New York to conduct a study of the effects of racial and ethnic disparities on breastfeeding rates.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2500-1 to read as follows:
Read the full memo (666 words)
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2500-1 to read:
§ 2500-1. Study of the effects of racial and ethnic disparities on breastfeeding rates. The purpose of this study shall be to:
(1)identify Statewide and regional infant death rates, trends, patterns, and racial and ethnic disparities in adverse birth outcomes, and medical, non-medical, and system-related factors that may have contrib- uted to infant deaths and treatment disparities;
(2)review the extent to which racial and ethnic disparities in infant mortality in a geographic area indicate the need to increase access to health care services among racial and ethnic populations in that area; and'
(3)identify ways to reduce or eliminate racial and ethnic disparities that contribute to infant mortality; and
(4)review the extent to which racial and ethnic disparities in breast- feeding initiation and duration indicate the need to increase breast- feeding supports among racial and ethnic populations throughout the State'.
b.In conducting the study, the board may seek the advice of persons specializing in the fields of neonatal and post neonatal pathology, maternal and infant health, minority health advocacy, or other related fields.
c.Within one year after the date of enactment of this act, the board shall prepare and submit to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature, a report containing the study's findings concerning the effects of racial and ethnic dispar- ities on infant mortality and recommendations for legislative or other actions that can be undertaken to:
(1)reduce infant mortality and improve birth outcomes in the State;
(2)reduce or eliminate racial and ethnic disparities that contribute to infant mortality;1 and (3)increase access to health care services among racial and ethnic populations in the State; and
(4)increase breastfeeding supports among racial and ethnic populations throughout the State'.
d.The board may prepare and submit additional reports when the board deems it appropriate, and each report, with the exception of the first report prepared under this section, shall additionally identify the extent to which the board's prior recommendations have been successfully implemented in practice and the apparent impact that the implementation of such recommended changes has had on infant mortality in the preceding years.
Justification
Breastfeeding is extremely beneficial for both the infant and mother. Breastfed babies have fewer infections and hospitalizations than formu- la-fed infants. During breastfeeding, antibodies pass from a mother to her baby and strengthen the immune system. Additionally, breastfed infants have less difficulty with digestion than formula-fed infants. Breast milk is considered the "perfect food" for a baby because of its composure of lactose protein and fat. Breastfeeding is profitable for the mother and baby however, the proportion of mothers breastfeeding is skewed. According to the CDC, fewer non-Hispanic black infants (69.4%) are ever breastfed compared with non-Hispanic white infants (85.9%) and Hispanic infants (84.6%). An improvement in the racial disparities could reduce infant mortality and improve birth outcomes.
Legislative history
New Bill
Fiscal implications
None
Local fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on/or before such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.