§ 17-174.1 [Language access services for abortion providers.]

   a.   Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

      Abortion. The term "abortion" means (i) a procedure to terminate a pregnancy for purposes other than producing a live birth, including, but not limited to, a termination using pharmacological agents, and (ii) any services related to such procedure, including, but not limited to, any counseling before and after such procedure.

      Abortion provider. The term "abortion provider" means a person who provides abortion procedures in accordance with New York state law, including, but not limited to, a hospital or a licensed medical provider.

      Designated citywide languages. The term "designated citywide languages" has the same meaning as such term is defined in section 23-1101.

      Healthcare provider. The term "healthcare provider" means a person who provides healthcare procedures in the city in accordance with New York state law, including, but not limited to, a hospital or a licensed medical provider.

      Language access services. The term "language access services" means services provided in order to convey information to, or facilitate communication with, an individual whose preferred language is not English, and may include, but need not be limited to, interpretation services, translation services or communication by a person who is fluent in both English and the non-English speaker's preferred language.

   b.   Online abortion resource. No later than March 1, 2023, the department shall post on its website, and update as appropriate, information and resources for a potential patient of an abortion provider, which shall include, but need not be limited to, information outlining methods used to provide an abortion, attendant health risks and recovery from an abortion. Such information and resources shall be translated into the designated citywide languages.

   c.   Language access services needs assessment. No later than July 1, 2023, the department shall survey abortion providers in the city to assess the availability of language access services for abortion and the demand for such services. Such needs assessment shall include, but need not be limited to, a survey of:

      1.   Language access services used in connection with providing abortions;

      2.   Preferred methods for delivery of language access services used in connection with providing abortions;

      3.   Public and private funding for language access services used in connection with providing abortions; and

      4.   Implementation challenges with language access services used in connection with providing abortions.

   d.   Language access services needs report. No later than 30 days after completion of the needs assessment required by subdivision c of this section, the department shall submit a report to the mayor and the speaker of the council with recommendations resulting from such needs assessment and shall post such report on its website. Such report shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:

      1.   A summary of the findings of such needs assessment;

      2.   Recommendations for language access services based on such findings;

      3.   In consultation with the mayor's office of immigrant affairs, recommended best practices for language access services and for identifying providers of language access services; and

      4.   An assessment of actions the city could take to assist abortion providers with access to language access services, including, but not limited to, the practicability of providing grants to abortion providers to assist in such access, and methods of connecting abortion providers with healthcare providers that have implemented language access services.

(L.L. 2022/093, 10/15/2022, eff. 2/12/2023)