S. 8907 Summary

• Establishes a state maternal mortality review board within the Department of Health composed of at least 15 multidisciplinary experts appointed by the commissioner to review maternal deaths and severe maternal morbidity cases.

• Allows the state to enter into an agreement with New York City to have the city board conduct reviews for cases occurring within the city, with the city board providing results and recommendations to the state board.

• Requires the boards to assess causes of death, factors leading to death, preventability, and develop strategies to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity, including addressing racial, economic, and other disparities.

• Establishes confidentiality protections for all information collected by the boards, making records non-discoverable and inadmissible in legal proceedings, while allowing boards to issue public biennial reports on findings and recommendations.

• Creates an advisory council on maternal mortality and morbidity with at least 20 members, jointly appointed by the state and city commissioners, to review board findings and develop recommendations on policies and best practices to prevent maternal mortality and morbidity.