Assembly approves statewide screening guidelines for placenta accreta spectrum
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Summary
The Assembly passed a bill directing the state health department to develop evidence-based screening guidelines for placenta accreta spectrum after sponsors cited rising incidence and maternal-health risks; the vote was unanimous.
The New York State Assembly on March 22 passed legislation directing the Department of Health to create standardized, evidence-based screening guidelines for placenta accreta spectrum, a pregnancy complication that sponsors said has grown more common and can cause life-threatening bleeding at delivery.
Sponsor Assemblyman Zaccaro said the incidence of placenta accreta spectrum has increased sharply in recent decades, citing an increase "from 1 in 1,250 pregnancies to 1 in 272 by 2025," and argued that inconsistent screening across providers puts patients at risk. "Women and expecting parents deserve clarity about their risks, and health care providers need the tools to offer informed care," he said, urging the measure's passage.
Assembly member Forrest, speaking in support, framed the bill as part of addressing Black maternal health disparities and thanked the sponsor for prioritizing screening and referral pathways. "It cannot be overstated," she said, that better screening can prevent sudden, life-altering outcomes for families.
The clerk recorded the vote as Ayes 140, Noes 0; the bill will require the Department of Health to develop guidance on risk recognition, appropriate imaging, and referrals to qualified specialists.
The sponsor and supporters said the measure aims to make screening consistent across regions and providers; the Assembly took the bill on the floor and passed it on the same day. No amendments or opposing floor statements were recorded in these segments. The Assembly did not specify an effective date in the on-floor explanation beyond the clerk's reading of the bill text.
