BILL NUMBER: S6707

SPONSOR: BENJAMIN
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the public health law, in relation to
requiring the department of health of the state of New York to conduct a
study of the effects of racial and ethnic disparities on breastfeeding
rates and prepare and submit a report to the governor and the legisla-
ture

 
PURPOSE:

To amend the Public Health Law by adding a new section to require the
department of health of the state of New York to conduct a study of the
effects of racial and ethnic disparities on breastfeeding rates.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section
2500-1 to read as follows:

Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section
              

2500-1 to read:

§ 2500-1. Study of the effects of racial and ethnic disparities on
breastfeeding rates. The purpose of this study shall be to:

(1)identify Statewide and regional infant death rates, trends, patterns,
and racial and ethnic disparities in adverse birth outcomes, and
medical, non-medical, and system-related factors that may have contrib-
uted to infant deaths and treatment disparities;

(2)review the extent to which racial and ethnic disparities in infant
mortality in a geographic area indicate the need to increase access to
health care services among racial and ethnic populations in that area;
and'

(3)identify ways to reduce or eliminate racial and ethnic disparities
that contribute to infant mortality; and

(4)review the extent to which racial and ethnic disparities in breast-
feeding initiation and duration indicate the need to increase breast-
feeding supports among racial and ethnic populations throughout the
State'.

b.In conducting the study, the board may seek the advice of persons
specializing in the fields of neonatal and post neonatal pathology,
maternal and infant health, minority health advocacy, or other related
fields.

c.Within one year after the date of enactment of this act, the board
shall prepare and submit to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of
P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature, a report containing
the study's findings concerning the effects of racial and ethnic dispar-
ities on infant mortality and recommendations for legislative or other
actions that can be undertaken to:

(1)reduce infant mortality and improve birth outcomes in the State;


(2)reduce or eliminate racial and ethnic disparities that contribute to
infant mortality;1 and (3)increase access to health care services among
racial and ethnic populations in the State; and

(4)increase breastfeeding supports among racial and ethnic populations
throughout the State'.

d.The board may prepare and submit additional reports when the board
deems it appropriate, and each report, with the exception of the first
report prepared under this section, shall additionally identify the
extent to which the board's prior recommendations have been successfully
implemented in practice and the apparent impact that the implementation
of such recommended changes has had on infant mortality in the preceding
years.

 
EXISTING LAW:

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Breastfeeding is extremely beneficial for both the infant and mother.
Breastfed babies have fewer infections and hospitalizations than formu-
la-fed infants. During breastfeeding, antibodies pass from a mother to
her baby and strengthen the immune system. Additionally, breastfed
infants have less difficulty with digestion than formula-fed infants.
Breast milk is considered the "perfect food" for a baby because of its
composure of lactose protein and fat.  Breastfeeding is profitable for
the mother and baby however, the proportion of mothers breastfeeding is
skewed. According to the CDC, fewer non-Hispanic black infants (69.4%)
are ever breastfed compared with non-Hispanic white infants (85.9%) and
Hispanic infants (84.6%). An improvement in the racial disparities could
reduce infant mortality and improve birth outcomes.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have
become a law. Effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or
repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
on/or before such date.