BILL NUMBER: S809
SPONSOR: PERSAUD
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to access to doulas;
and to repeal a chapter of the laws of 2024 amending the public health
law relating to permitting doulas to be present in the operating room
while a cesarean section is being performed, as proposed in legislative
bills numbers S. 5991-A and A. 7606
 
PURPOSE:
This is a chapter amendment that makes changes to L.2024, c.654, to
clarify provisions related to allowing a birthing person access to their
doula and requiring all maternal healthcare facilities to post on their
website, in the facility lobbies, and in inpatient waiting areas that
birthing individuals have the right to access doula support.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill amends the underlying chapter to eliminate duplicative
language and align the provisions with Chapter 550 of the Laws of 2024.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation is a negotiated change to the underlying chapter.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Chapter amendment to Chapter 654 of the Laws of 2024. S.5991-A and
A.7606 both passed the Senate and Assembly during the 2024 Legislative
Session.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a
chapter of the laws of 2024 amending the Public Health Law relating to
permitting doulas to be present in the operating room while a cesarean
section is being performed, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S.
5991A and A. 7606; provided, however that section two of this act shall
take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the
laws of 2024 amending the public health law relating to permitting
expecting and new mothers' access to their doulas, as proposed in legis-
lative bills numbers S.5992-A and A.6168-A, takes effect.

Statutes affected:
S809: 2500-m public health law