§ 2500. Maternal and child health; duties of commissioner. 1. The
commissioner shall act in an advisory and supervisory capacity, in
matters pertaining to the safeguarding of motherhood, the prevention of
maternal, perinatal, infant and child mortality, the prevention of
diseases, low birth weight, childhood obesity, and defects of childhood
and the promotion of maternal, prenatal and child health, including care
in hospitals, and shall administer such services bearing on the health
of mothers and children for which funds are or shall hereafter be made
available.

2. The commissioner shall establish minimum standards in accordance
with established and accepted medical principles for local maternal and
child health services administered by or under the general supervision
of the commissioner.

* 3. In conjunction with the state department having general
supervision, the commissioner may make or may cause to be made
investigation of the conditions affecting the health of children in
institutions for day care or domiciliary care. If he shall find any
conditions detrimental to health in such institutions, he shall make and
report recommendations thereon to the appropriate state department.

* NB Effective until June 16, 2025

* 3. a. The commissioner shall, in conjunction with hospitals,
obstetricians, midwives, doulas, maternal health care provider
organizations; mental health care provider organizations; and any
additional stakeholders that the commissioner deems necessary, evaluate
and make recommendations related to the development of maternal health
care and birthing best practices which support each patient receiving
the highest quality of care. These recommendations shall include, but
not be limited to, best practices for every patient to receive:

(i) fair, courteous and respectful culturally competent care free of
discrimination;

(ii) accurate and judgment-free advice and recommendations that allow
for informed decision making and consent regarding care and treatment,
including risks, benefits, outcomes and alternative procedures;

(iii) clear, concise and easily understood information about their
care and treatment outcomes, medical team and birthing options, the
policies and procedures of the hospital or birthing center, and
resources available to them;

(iv) an opportunity to discuss their birthing preferences with their
care team and have such preferences documented; and

(v) adequate support during their pregnancy, labor and childbirth,
including access to doula and mental health services.

b. No later than one year after the effective date of this subdivision
the commissioner shall publish such recommendations on the department of
health's website and update all relevant materials provided to the
public through the department to reflect these standards. Such
recommendations shall be updated at least once after publishing and as
necessary thereafter.

* NB Effective June 16, 2025

* 4. The commissioner shall cooperate with other state departments
having jurisdiction over matters affecting the health of mothers and
children, to the end that existing activities may be coordinated and
duplication of effort avoided. He shall cooperate with and stimulate
local agencies, public and private, in promoting such measures and
undertakings as may be designed to accomplish the purposes of this
section.

* NB Effective until June 16, 2025

* 4. In conjunction with the state department having general
supervision, the commissioner may make or may cause to be made
investigation of the conditions affecting the health of children in
institutions for day care or domiciliary care. If he shall find any
conditions detrimental to health in such institutions, he shall make and
report recommendations thereon to the appropriate state department.

* NB Effective June 16, 2025

* 5. The commissioner shall cooperate with other state departments
having jurisdiction over matters affecting the health of mothers and
children, to the end that existing activities may be coordinated and
duplication of effort avoided. He shall cooperate with and stimulate
local agencies, public and private, in promoting such measures and
undertakings as may be designed to accomplish the purposes of this
section.

* NB Effective June 16, 2025