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This bill would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to assess the needs of pregnant people and the availability of doulas to meet those needs. This would be done by DOHMH assessing demand, the cost of doulas, existing doula programs, current availability of doula services, and the benefits of doula programs. DOHMH would then be required to provide the Speaker of the Council with a plan for providing access to doulas to more pregnant people who request doula services as well as an annual report with information about known organizations that provide doula services or and training and information on areas in the city that experience disproportionally high rates of maternal mortality, infant mortality, and other poor birth outcomes.

  • Enacted

History

Administration
City Charter Rule Adopted
City Council
Sent to Mayor by Council
City Council
Pass
Approved by Council
Committee on Women
Hearing Held by Committee
Committee on Women
Amendment Proposed by Comm
Committee on Women
Amended by Committee
Committee on Women
Pass
Approved by Committee
Committee on Health
Laid Over by Committee
Committee on Health
Hearing Held by Committee
Committee on Women
Laid Over by Committee
Committee on Women
Hearing Held by Committee
City Council
Referred to Comm by Council
City Council
Introduced by Council

Int. No. 913-A

 

By Council Members Rosenthal, Ampry-Samuel, Cumbo, Rivera, Chin, Levin, Levine, Ayala, Lander, Cohen, Rose, Kallos, Richards, Brannan, Reynoso, Menchaca, Williams, Powers, Perkins, Adams, Constantinides, Barron and Miller

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to access to doulas

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 1 of title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 17-199.10 to read as follows:

§ 17-199.10 Doulas. a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, “doula” means a trained person who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a pregnant person and the family before, during or shortly after childbirth, for the purpose of assisting a pregnant person through the birth experience; or a trained person who supports the family of a newborn during the first days and weeks after childbirth, providing evidence-based information, practical help, and advice to the family on newborn care, self-care, and nurturing of the new family unit.

b. No later than June 30, 2019, the department shall submit to the speaker of the council and post on its website a plan to increase access to doulas for pregnant people in the city, including relevant timelines and strategies. In developing such plan, the department shall assess data regarding the needs of pregnant people and may consider the following factors:

1. The demand for doulas in the city;

2. The number of doulas in the city and any appropriate qualifications;

3. Existing city and community-based programs that provide doula services, including whether such programs offer training for doulas;

4. The availability of doula services that are low-cost, affordable, or free to the mother or pregnant person;

5. Areas or populations within the city in which residents experience disproportionately low access to doulas;

6. Areas or populations within the city in which residents experience disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality, cesarean birth, infant mortality, and other poor birth outcomes;

7. The average cost of doula services, and whether such services may be covered by an existing health plan or benefit; and

8. Any other information on the use of doulas and benefits associated with the use of doulas.

Such plan shall additionally list the factors considered in development of the plan.

c. No later than June 30, 2019, and on or before June 30 every year thereafter, the department shall submit to the speaker of the council and post on its website a report on the following information:

1. Known city and community-based programs that provide doula services, including whether such programs offer training for doulas;

2. Areas or populations within the city in which residents experience disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality, infant mortality, and other poor birth outcomes; and

3. Any updated information regarding implementation of the plan required by subdivision b of this section since the prior annual report.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

APB / BM

LS #6547

10/9/18 9:00 PM