New York A4018: Establishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act and requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program

What the bill says

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program and requiring the department of health to publish reports on maternal morbidity and pregnancy related deaths.

From the amended text, May 5, 2026:

AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program and requiring the department of health to publish reports on maternal morbidity and pregnancy related deaths THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "New York Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act". § 2. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2803-nn to read as follows: § 2803-NN. IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING IN REGARD TO PERINATAL CARE. 1. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS SHALL APPLY: (A) "IMPLICIT BIAS" SHALL MEAN A BIAS IN JUDGMENT OR BEHAVIOR THAT RESULTS FROM SUBTLE COGNITIVE PROCESSES, INCLUDING IMPLICIT PREJUDICE AND IMPLICIT STEREOTYPES THAT OFTEN OPERATE AT A LEVEL BELOW CONSCIOUS AWARENESS AND WITHOUT INTENTIONAL CONTROL. (B) "PERINATAL CARE" SHALL MEAN THE PROVISION OF CARE DURING PREGNANCY, LABOR, DELIVERY, AND POSTPARTUM AND NEONATAL PERIODS. 2. EVERY HOSPITAL SHALL REQUIRE CLINICAL STAFF THAT PROVIDES PERINATAL CARE TO CERTIFY, ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, COMPLETION OF AN EVIDENCE-BASED IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING CURRICULUM APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING TRAINING ON THE FOLLOWING: (A) IDENTIFICATION OF PREVIOUS OR CURRENT UNCONSCIOUS BIASES AND MISINFORMATION; EXPLANATION--Matter …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Forrest, Phara Souffrant (I, 57) · primary sponsor
• Dana Levenberg (D, 95)
• Jennifer Lunsford (D, 135)
• Edward Gibbs (D, 68)
• Sarahana Shrestha (D, 103)
• Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas (D, 34)
• Hermelyn, Rodneyse Bichotte (I, 42)
• Emily Gallagher (D, 50)
• Demond Meeks (D, 137)
• Harvey Epstein (D, 74)
• Tony Simone (D, 75)
• Steven Raga (D, 30)

Latest actions

1. June 5, 2026: SUBSTITUTED BY S6983A
2. June 1, 2026: ORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.291
3. June 1, 2026: RULES REPORT CAL.291
4. June 1, 2026: REPORTED
5. May 29, 2026: REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES
6. May 11, 2026: REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
7. May 5, 2026: PRINT NUMBER 4018A
8. May 5, 2026: AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO HEALTH
9. January 7, 2026: REFERRED TO HEALTH
10. January 30, 2025: REFERRED TO HEALTH

Votes

• Assembly Rules Committee: Favorable (June 1, 2026): 19 yea, 9 nay, passed
• Assembly Ways And Means Committee: Favorable refer to committee Rules (May 29, 2026): 20 yea, 10 nay, passed
• Assembly Health Committee: Favorable refer to committee Ways and Means (May 11, 2026): 17 yea, 7 nay, passed

Common questions

What is A4018?

A4018 is a bill in the New York Legislature (2025-2026 General Assembly): Establishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act and requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program.

What does A4018 do?

In its own words: An act to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program and requiring the department of health to publish reports on maternal morbidity and pregnancy related deaths.

What is the status of A4018?

In committee as of June 1, 2026. Latest action: SUBSTITUTED BY S6983A (June 5, 2026).

Who sponsored A4018?

Forrest, Phara Souffrant (I, 57), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for A4018?

On the New York Legislature website: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4018