New York legislation · 2025-2026 General Assembly
New York S845: Establishes the "Maternal Health, Dignity and Consent act"
Status: In committee, June 4, 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 21, 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. 2. NO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL LICENSED, CERTIFIED, OR AUTHORIZED UNDER TITLE EIGHT OF THE EDUCATION LAW SHALL PERFORM A DRUG, CANNABIS OR EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD00590-03-6 S. 845--A 2 ALCOHOL TEST ON A PERSON WHO IS PREGNANT …
Sponsors
- Julia Salazar (D, 18) · primary sponsor
- Samra Brouk (D, 55)
- Joseph Addabbo (D, 15)
- Jabari Brisport (D, 25)
- Cordell Cleare (D, 30)
- Leroy Comrie (D, 14)
- Jeremy Cooney (D, 56)
- Nathalia Fernandez (D, 34)
- Kristen Gonzalez (D, 59)
- Andrew Gounardes (D, 26)
- Peter Harckham (D, 40)
- Michelle Hinchey (D, 41)
Latest actions
- : REFERRED TO CODES
- : DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
- : PASSED SENATE
- : ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1698
- : COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
- : PRINT NUMBER 845A
- : AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
- : REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
- : REFERRED TO WOMEN'S ISSUES
- : COMMITTED TO RULES
Votes
- FLOOR Vote (June 4, 2026): 38 yea, 22 nay, passed
- Women's Issues Committee Vote (May 13, 2026): 6 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Senate Women'S Issues Committee: COMMITTEE Vote (May 13, 2026): 6 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Senate Health Committee: COMMITTEE Vote (May 13, 2025): 11 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Health Committee Vote (May 13, 2025): 11 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Women's Issues Committee Vote (April 29, 2025): 6 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: Public Health Law
Common questions
- What is S845?
- S845 is a bill in the New York Legislature (2025-2026 General Assembly): Establishes the "Maternal Health, Dignity and Consent act".
- What does S845 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 S845?
- In committee as of June 4, 2026. Latest action: REFERRED TO CODES (June 4, 2026).
- Who sponsored S845?
- Julia Salazar (D, 18), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S845?
- On the New York Legislature website: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S845
Source: official New York record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.