Human Rights Measure

Following policies at some private hospitals in New York City “barring spouses, partners and other family members or outside support people, such as doulas, from the delivery room,” Executive Order 202.12 issued a directive stating that “[a]ny article twenty-eight facility licensed by the state, shall, as a condition of licensure permit attendance of one support person who does not have a fever at the time of labor/delivery to be present as a support person for a patient who is giving birth.” In June 2021, the New York State Department of Health issued new guidance stating that “hospitals must ensure, at a minimum, that for Labor and Delivery, two support persons, including a doula if requested, may accompany the patient throughout labor, delivery, and the postpartum period, including recovery, until discharge to home. The support persons can be the patient’s spouse, partner, sibling, parent, or other persons of their choice.”