New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A00738

Introduced
1/8/25  
Refer
1/8/25  

Caption

Relates to women's health in correctional facilities; establishes a women's health education program; requires HIV and STD testing to be offered to incarcerated individuals; provides pregnant incarcerated individuals with access to prenatal vitamins as well as a specialized diet tailored to pregnancy needs; requires a study and report on women's health in prison.

Summary

Bill A00738 aims to enhance women's health care in correctional facilities by establishing a women's health education program for medical staff, ensuring that pregnant incarcerated individuals receive adequate prenatal care, vitamins, and specialized diets. It mandates that correctional facilities offer testing for sexually transmitted diseases and requires the Department of Health to conduct a study on women's health care in prisons, culminating in a report to the governor and legislature.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would amend existing public health and correction laws in New York, creating new requirements for the treatment and care of women in correctional facilities. It would establish protocols for prenatal care and health education, thereby improving health outcomes for pregnant individuals in custody and ensuring that medical staff are trained to address the specific needs of women, particularly those who have experienced trauma.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding Bill A00738 appears to be supportive among advocates for women's health and rights, as it addresses significant gaps in health care for incarcerated women. However, there may be concerns from some lawmakers regarding the implementation costs and the logistics of enforcing these new requirements within correctional facilities.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise from budgetary concerns regarding the funding of the proposed health education program and the provision of additional health services in correctional facilities. Some lawmakers may argue about the feasibility of implementing these changes, while advocates emphasize the necessity of addressing the health disparities faced by incarcerated women.

Companion Bills

NY S07108

Same As Relates to women's health in correctional facilities; establishes a women's health education program; requires HIV and STD testing to be offered to incarcerated individuals; provides pregnant incarcerated individuals with access to prenatal vitamins as well as a specialized diet tailored to pregnancy needs; requires a study and report on women's health in prison.

Previously Filed As

NY A00227

Relates to women's health in correctional facilities; establishes a women's health education program; requires HIV and STD testing to be offered to incarcerated individuals; provides pregnant incarcerated individuals with access to prenatal vitamins as well as a specialized diet tailored to pregnancy needs; requires a study and report on women's health in prison.

NY S07108

Relates to women's health in correctional facilities; establishes a women's health education program; requires HIV and STD testing to be offered to incarcerated individuals; provides pregnant incarcerated individuals with access to prenatal vitamins as well as a specialized diet tailored to pregnancy needs; requires a study and report on women's health in prison.

NY S10192

Requires mental health services for incarcerated individuals with mental health issues related to the trauma of incarceration upon reentry and reintegration into society upon release.

NY A04879

Relates to the health, safety and human rights of incarcerated pregnant individuals, incarcerated birthing parents and their children; requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to establish rules and regulations relating to conditions in institutions and correctional facilities and the treatment and care of birthing parents in such institutions and facilities.

NY S04583

Relates to the health, safety and human rights of incarcerated pregnant individuals, incarcerated birthing parents and their children; requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to establish rules and regulations relating to conditions in institutions and correctional facilities and the treatment and care of birthing parents in such institutions and facilities.

NY A01670

Prohibits the use of restraints on and the use of force against incarcerated individuals during labor and incarcerated individuals who have experienced different pregnancy outcomes, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant and post-pregnancy persons during a custodial interrogation; provides for certain exceptions for restraints to be used and in such case limits the use to wrist restraints.

NY S02667

Prohibits the use of restraints on and the use of force against incarcerated individuals during labor and incarcerated individuals who have experienced different pregnancy outcomes, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant and post-pregnancy persons during a custodial interrogation; provides for certain exceptions for restraints to be used and in such case limits the use to wrist restraints.

NY S07983

Relates to required notification of an incarcerated individual's emergency contacts when such incarcerated individual experiences a serious medical event; provides that incarcerated individuals and their representatives shall have the right to access such incarcerated individual's medical records; provides requirements for access to such medical records; establishes an independent medical oversight body to monitor and evaluate the quality of medical care provided to incarcerated individuals within correctional facilities and to ensure compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements for adequate medical care; provides penalties for certain violations; requires the department of corrections and community supervision to collect data on medical incidents, response times, and correctional facility compliance with certain requirements, and to publish an annual report detailing such data.

NY S10502

Expands access to higher education in correctional facilities by requiring the department of corrections and community supervision to provide meaningful access to postsecondary educational programming and to establish a transparent process for incarcerated individuals to request transfers to facilities where such programs are available.

NY H2658

To provide reproductive health care to incarcerated individuals

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.