BILL NUMBER: S9283

SPONSOR: KAVANAGH
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to including informa-
tion on congenital heart defect births in the informational leaflets
required to be given to maternity patients

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill would require hospitals and birth centers to include informa-
tion on Congenital Heart Defects for maternity patients and their fami-
lies.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one of the bill provides the title.

Section two of the bill amends section 2803-j of the public health law
to include information related to congenital heart defect births,
including treatment recommendations, and any other information the
              

commissioner shall deem appropriate, in the informational leaflets
required to be given to maternity patients.

Section three of the bill sets forth the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) are the most common type of birth
defect. CHDs are present at birth and can affect the structure of a
baby's heart and the way it works. CHDs can vary from mild (such as a
small hole in the heart) to severe (such as missing or poorly formed
parts of the heart). About 1 in 4 babies born with a heart defect has a
critical CHD and could require surgery or other procedures in the first
year of life. Pregnancy represents a new challenge in maternity patients
with congenital heart disease, therefore hospitals and birth centers
should provide as much information as possible so that maternity
patients with congenital heart disease can be given adequate precon-
ception counseling and optimal care during pregnancy, delivery, and the
postpartum period.

According to section 2803-i of the Public Health Law, hospitals and
birth centers are required to Provide an informational leaflet to mater-
nity patients including information on maternity related procedures and
practices. This proposed legislation would require hospitals and birth
centers to include information on Congenital Heart Defects for maternity
patients and their families. This information will include the types of
Congenital Heart Defects, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, causes, and
treatment.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

This is a new bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
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 effective date.