This bill would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to establish a baby box pilot program to reduce infant mortality rates in New York City.
- Filed (End of Session)
History
Int. No. 736
By Council Members Levine, Levin and Powers (by request of the Queens Borough President)
A Local Law in relation to establishing a baby box pilot program
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Baby box pilot program. a. The department of health and mental hygiene shall establish a baby box pilot program to reduce infant mortality rates in the city. For purposes of this section, a baby box means a box designed to be a safe and comfortable sleep space for infants which is lined with a firm mattress with a fitted sheet and contains any other items the department deems necessary or appropriate. As part of such pilot program, no later than December 1, 2018, baby boxes shall be distributed to expectant parents in the city, provided that, at a minimum, distribution occur in the five neighborhoods with the highest infant mortality rates across the city, as determined by the department. The department shall determine criteria for parents receiving such baby box which may include, but not be limited to, an online parenting course made available by the department.
b. On or before December 1, 2019, the department shall post online and provide to the speaker of the council a written report containing information regarding the pilot program established pursuant to this local law, including, to the extent such information is available, the cost of such pilot program, recommendations with respect to expanding or making such pilot program permanent, an analysis of the impact and effectiveness of such pilot program, and any other recommendations regarding such pilot program.
§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.
ACK/ZH
LS # 4134, LS # 4136, LS #4138
3/2/2018