BILL NUMBER: S6717A
SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law and the administrative code of the
city of New York, in relation to establishing fetal and infant mortality
review boards
 
PURPOSE:
To create a statewide fetal infant mortality review board to investigate
fetal, neonatal, and post-neonatal deaths across the state; identify the
root causes that contribute to infant mortality; and issue recommenda-
tions to improve systems of care and birth outcomes.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The bill amends the public health law by adding a new section 2509-b
that:
1. Establishes a review board for the purpose of reviewing fetal and
infant deaths.
2. Establishes guidelines for what the board will review and what infor-
mation it collects, providing discretion to the commissioner of the
Department of Health to enter into an agreement with the city of New
York through the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and providing
autonomy to the city of New York to establish its own fetal and infant
mortality board through its Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
3. Lists the requirements of the board, including member term length,
quorum requirements, etc.
4. Provides discretionary authority to the commissioner to request
information, requiring entities to comply by providing said information;
provides authority to the commissioner for the solicitation and recep-
tion of voluntary information that is oral and written, and for the
transcription of oral statements in any case before the board; requires
redaction of any personal information prior to transmittal of any infor-
mation; and prevents information received or transmitted from being
admissible in court.
5. Requires actions to be taken by each board.
The commissioner and the city commissioner may use findings and recom-
mendations of the boards to develop best practices and actions for
health care providers to implement.
The bill also amends the administrative code of the city of New York by
adding a new section 17166.1. This section includes all the same
provisions that amend the public health law by adding section 2509-b.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Fetal and infant deaths during the perinatal period have a profound
impact on the person giving birth, their family, and the community at
large. This bill would establish a statewide Fetal Infant Mortality
Review Board (FIMR) to identify the root causes that contribute to
infant mortality and recommend action-oriented solutions. Many states,
as well as Washington D.C. and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, have
implemented such boards to help address this issue. These boards inter-
view parents, review pertinent records and reports, and recommend inter-
ventions that can reduce the risk of fetal and infant deaths.
The infant mortality rate in New York State is relatively low compared
to other states. However, the state's overall success in this area is
not shared equally across our communities. Low-income communities and
communities of color have infant mortality rates that are two or even
three times higher than the statewide average. A statewide FIMR would
bring new insights, helping us lower the fetal and infant mortality
rate, especially in communities whose rates exceed the state average.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: Passed Senate
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
One year after becoming a law.