BILL NUMBER: S1657
SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to promotion of
public umbilical cord blood banking
 
PURPOSE:
To create a public umbilical cord blood banking program in New York
State  
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill establishes the umbilical cord blood banking
program to, among other things, promote research into the uses of umbil-
ical cord blood. This section also requires the Department of Health to
develop a public education and outreach campaign, via written materials,
brochures, the Internet, and public service announcements to promote
awareness. Additionally, this section promotes research through public
and private funding sources into the potential benefits of umbilical
cord blood as a source of stem cells in the treatment of disease.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Umbilical cord blood is rich in stem cells that can serve as a lifeline
in treating many life-threatening diseases. Also, cord blood stem cells
have been used to treat patients suffering from many disorders. For
example, a study published in an issue of the New England Journal of
Medicine confirms that stem cells derived from the umbilical cords of
newborn babies are a viable and effective transplant source for thou-
sands of leukemia patients who have no other treatment option. In Octo-
ber 2005, scientists in Korea claimed they enabled a patient who could
not walk for the past 19 years to walk by using stem cells from umbili-
cal cord blood. A public umbilical cord blood banking program would
enable more research and education for New Yorkers who need treatment.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: Referred to Health
2023-24: Referred to Health
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
One hundred eighty days after becoming a law, with provisions.