New York legislation · 2025-2026 General Assembly
New York A860: Establishes the "Maternal Health, Dignity and Consent act"
Status: In committee, May 28, 2026
Prohibits drug, cannabis or alcohol testing of pregnant or postpartum individuals and newborns unless the individual consents and it is within the scope of medical care, or the testing is necessary for a medical emergency.
What the bill says
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to prohibiting drug, cannabis or alcohol testing of pregnant or postpartum individuals and newborns.
From the amended text, May 22, 2026:
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to prohibiting drug, cannabis or alcohol testing of pregnant or postpartum individuals and newborns THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Maternal Health, Dignity and Consent act". § 2. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2509-b to read as follows: § 2509-B. DRUG, CANNABIS OR ALCOHOL TESTING FOR PREGNANT OR POSTPARTUM INDIVIDUALS; PROHIBITED. 1. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION: (A) "DRUG" SHALL MEAN A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION THIRTY-THREE HUNDRED SIX OF THIS CHAPTER. (B) "CANNABIS" SHALL MEAN CANNABIS OR CONCENTRATED CANNABIS AS THOSE TERMS ARE DEFINED IN SECTION 222.00 OF THE PENAL LAW. (C) "DRUG, CANNABIS OR ALCOHOL TEST" SHALL MEAN A TEST USING A BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, URINE OR HAIR, FOR THE PRESENCE OF DRUGS, CANNABIS OR ALCOHOL. EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD00590-04-6 A. 860--A 2 2. NO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL LICENSED, CERTIFIED, OR AUTHORIZED UNDER TITLE EIGHT OF THE EDUCATION LAW SHALL PERFORM A DRUG, CANNABIS OR ALCOHOL TEST ON A PERSON WHO IS PREGNANT …
Sponsors
- Linda Rosenthal (D, 67) · primary sponsor
- Forrest, Phara Souffrant (I, 57)
- Rebecca Seawright (D, 76)
- Hermelyn, Rodneyse Bichotte (I, 42)
- Sarah Clark (D, 136)
- Jo Simon (D, 52)
- Chantel Jackson (D, 79)
- Marcela Mitaynes (D, 51)
- Karines Reyes (D, 87)
- Catalina Cruz (D, 39)
- Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas (D, 34)
- Emily Gallagher (D, 50)
Latest actions
- : REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES
- : PRINT NUMBER 860A
- : AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO CODES
- : REPORTED REFERRED TO CODES
- : REFERRED TO HEALTH
- : REFERRED TO HEALTH
Votes
- Assembly Codes Committee: Favorable refer to committee Rules (May 28, 2026): 13 yea, 5 nay, passed
- Assembly Health Committee: Favorable refer to committee Codes (May 11, 2026): 16 yea, 8 nay, passed
Subjects: Public Health Law
Common questions
- What is A860?
- A860 is a bill in the New York Legislature (2025-2026 General Assembly): Establishes the "Maternal Health, Dignity and Consent act".
- What does A860 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend the public health law, in relation to prohibiting drug, cannabis or alcohol testing of pregnant or postpartum individuals and newborns.
- What is the status of A860?
- In committee as of May 28, 2026. Latest action: REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES (May 28, 2026).
- Who sponsored A860?
- Linda Rosenthal (D, 67), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for A860?
- On the New York Legislature website: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A860
Source: official New York record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.