BILL NUMBER:S6662

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the public health law, in relation to
healthcare and wellness education and outreach programs on the
donation of postnatal tissue and fluids

PURPOSE OR IDEA OF GENERAL BILL:  To encourage and establish awareness
for the options for storage and collection of undifferentiated
biological cells from the non-controversial source of umbilical cord
blood by requiring doctors and hospitals to discuss cord blood banking
options with pregnant patients before their third trimester of
pregnancy.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:  Amends Subdivision 1 of section 207
of the public health law by adding a new paragraph which would allow
the department to conduct education and outreach programs that relate
to the full range of options for storage or donation of postnatal
tissue and fluids no later than thirty days from the commencement of
such patients' third trimester of pregnancy or at the first
consultation between the attending physician of the hospital,
whichever is later.

JUSTIFICATION:  Undifferentiated biological cells that can separate
into specialized cells and divide to produce more cells are the
building blocks of our bodies and the foundation of our immune system.
Umbilical cord blood, or the blood that remains in a newborn's
              

umbilical cord after birth, is a rich source of undifferentiated
biological cells. Collecting cord blood offers a once in a life time
opportunity to obtain these potentially lifesaving specialized
biological cells. Cord blood cells, which generally do not require a
perfect match, have already been used in treating over 20,000 patients
for a wide range of diseases, including types of leukemia, sickle-cell
anemia, immunodeficiency, marrow failure and genetic diseases that
call for transplants, as well as being clinically tested for
treatments of other disorders including Type 1 Diabetes and Cerebral
Palsy as well as studies to reverse hearing loss in infants and
toddlers, utilizing undifferentiated biological cells from cord blood
to repair damaged inner ears. A noteworthy advantage of the use of
these cord blood biological cells is that these types of transplants
have a much less stringent genetic matching requirement between donor
and recipient.  As opposed to traditional bone-marrow transplants
where all six key Human Leukocyte Antigens must match up; a cord blood
biological cell transplant only requires a match of four.  This looser
requirement lowers the chance of rejection from the recipient's body
compared to undifferentiated bone marrow cells. In addition to
offering safer and easier collection, cord blood biological cells have
more matches, faster availability, more ethnic diversity, reduced risk
of potentially fatal transplant complications (GHVD), and fewer
infections.

Unfortunately, despite information campaigns by the state, experts
still estimate that 99% of this lifesaving resource is discarded after
birth. The State has an interest in ensuring that valuable information
about cord blood banking options is made available to pregnant woman
in a way that gives these women the opportunity to make an informed
decision - a decision that could potentially save the life of their
child or relative or a recipient of donated biological cells. This law


will require hospitals and doctors to discuss cord blood banking
options with pregnant patients before the third trimester of
pregnancy.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

(2011-12) A.9300 Referred to Health (2013-14) A.5246 Referred to
Health

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None

EFFECTIVE DATE:  This act shall take effect 120 days after it shall
have become law.