Mayor Eric Adams addressed New Yorkers today, detailing seven bills that aim to prioritize the safety of women during childbirth. 

The mayor said the signing of these bills comes at a time where women’s health care rights are in jeopardy, and he wants to make New York City a national leader in maternal health. 

These seven bills aim to eliminate pregnancy discrimination by granting workplace accommodations for pregnant women and caregivers.  

Under the Disability Benefits and Paid Family Leave Benefits laws, women can earn sick time and employers would need to grant temporary schedule changes. The bills would expand access to maternal health care education and will require the department of health to provide information on birthing/caregiving health issues.  

The bills also codify a public education program on maternal mortality and a program to train doulas and provide doula services, which would both fall under the department of health’s responsibility.  

While there are concerns about government involvement in some of these services like doula services, the mayor says that the government will not interrupt any current doula services.