Bill > SB0044

This bill amends Tennessee law to formally recognize and regulate doula services within the state's healthcare system. Specifically, the legislation adds doula services to the list of medical assistance services covered by TennCare (Tennessee's Medicaid program), defining doulas as professionals who provide continuous emotional and physical support throughout labor, birth, and during prenatal and postpartum periods. The bill requires the Department of Health to establish a certification process for doulas, which involves verifying that individuals have completed a recognized training program demonstrating competencies in areas such as pregnancy and childbirth anatomy, emotional support strategies, labor coping techniques, communication skills, and knowledge of healthcare resources. Doulas seeking certification must prove they understand basic physiological processes related to pregnancy and childbirth, can provide comprehensive emotional support, assist families with non-clinical comfort strategies, facilitate communication with healthcare providers, and connect clients with appropriate community resources. The bill will take effect immediately for rule-making purposes, with full implementation scheduled for July 1, 2025, aiming to improve maternal and infant healthcare support by professionally integrating doula services into Tennessee's healthcare framework.