A 2581: Creates a department of health education and outreach program on reproductive health services for consumers, patients, educators, and health care providers related to reproductive health services available in New York state including, but not limited to: access to family planning services such as contraceptives and pregnancy testing, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections; makes related provisions.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 2581 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN ASSEMBLY January 17, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. GONZALEZ-ROJAS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to the creation of a department of health education and outreach program on reproductive health services The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2 2599-bb-2 to read as follows: 3 § 2599-bb-2. Reproductive health services education and outreach 4 program. 1. There is hereby created within the department a reproduc- 5 tive health services education and outreach program. The department 6 shall conduct education and outreach for consumers, patients, educators, 7 and health care providers related to reproductive health services avail- 8 able in New York state including, but not limited to: access to services 9 such as contraceptives and pregnancy testing, testing and treatment for 10 sexually transmitted infections, and any other reproductive health 11 condition or information the commissioner shall deem appropriate. Such 12 information shall also include: 13 (a) available counseling for reproductive health services; 14 (b) access to reproductive health services and counseling via tele- 15 health; 16 (c) resources for locating clinics that provide reproductive health 17 services and counseling for these services; 18 (d) financial assistance available for reproductive health services 19 and counseling for these services; and 20 (e) programs for reproductive health services offered through other 21 state agencies as defined by section four hundred one of the executive 22 law. 23 2. The program shall include, but not be limited to, any of the 24 following elements: EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD06611-03-5 
 A. 2581 2 1 (a) educational and informational materials in print, audio, visual, 2 or other media; 3 (b) educational and informational materials provided electronically 4 via the department's website; 5 (c) public service announcements and advertisements; and 6 (d) establishment of toll-free telephone hotlines, a website, and 7 other electronic services to provide information. 8 3. The department may produce, make available to others for reprod- 9 uction, or contract with others to develop such materials under this 10 section as the commissioner deems appropriate. Such materials shall be 11 made available to the public and to providers and educators. 12 4. In exercising any of the commissioner's powers under this section, 13 the commissioner may consult with appropriate health care professionals, 14 providers, consumers, educators and patients or organizations represent- 15 ing them. 16 5. The commissioner shall ensure that all information and materials 17 produced pursuant to this section are maintained and updated to reflect 18 best practice recommendations. 19 6. The commissioner may make rules and regulations necessary and 20 appropriate for implementation of this section. 21 7. The department shall take all necessary steps to ensure the confi- 22 dentiality of providers of these services and of the individuals receiv- 23 ing services unless necessary for the purpose of referring individuals 24 for reproductive health services. A provider may request that their 25 information be omitted from dissemination under this program. The 26 commissioner may maintain aggregate, de-identified information, provided 27 that no information which alone or in combination would permit a 28 patient, provider, or an individual who sought, received, provided, or 29 supported health care services under the program to be identified may be 30 requested or shared. 31 § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall 32 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or 33 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of 34 this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed 35 on or before such effective date.