Int. No. 2370
By the Public Advocate (Mr. Williams) and Council Members Gibson, Yeger, Louis, Rosenthal and Adams
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to education about city standards for respectful care at birth, health care proxy forms and patients’ rights
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 17-200.1 to read as follows
§ 17-200.1 Respectful care at birth, health care proxy; public education. a. The commissioner shall engage in public education efforts as necessary to inform health care providers and patients about the city’s standards for respectful care at birth; health care proxy forms; the right to be free from discrimination in relation to pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition; the right to reasonable workplace accommodations and New York’s paid family leave. Such efforts shall include, but need not be limited to:
1. An outreach initiative to distribute posters, flyers, online materials, and other written materials to all facilities where obstetric and gynecological care is provided through the department containing information about standards for respectful care at birth; health care proxy forms and their uses; the right to be free from discrimination related to pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition; the right to be free from discrimination related to caregiver status; the right to reasonable workplace accommodations including lactation accommodations, paid sick and safe leave, temporary schedule changes, temporary disability insurance, the family and medical leave act of 1993 and New York’s paid family leave program. The department shall develop such materials in consultation with the New York city commission on human rights, the department of consumer and worker protection, and community based organizations with expertise in the workplace rights of pregnant workers. Such materials shall be developed with a focus on equity. The department shall distribute blank health care proxy forms as part of such initiative.
2. An invitation to the New York city health and hospitals corporation to participate in the posting and distribution of such posters, flyers, forms, online materials, and other written materials to patients seeking or receiving obstetric and gynecological care.
b. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the acceptance or display of any such materials by any private entity.
§ 2. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law.
JG
LS #14831
7/22/21 3:21 PM