Bill > H1333

This bill establishes a Maternal Health Justice Fund to expand and support the doula workforce in Massachusetts. A doula is defined as a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, without providing medical care. The fund will be administered by the Department of Public Health and can receive state appropriations and donations from private and governmental entities. The funds will be used to support doula workforce development through several key initiatives: providing compensation for department support staff, offering scholarships to individuals seeking doula certification (with priority given to marginalized, low-income, and underserved communities), supporting maternal health workforce development agencies, and funding community-based doula programs. The bill also requires the department to create and maintain a list of approved doula certification programs that must meet comprehensive competency standards. These standards include technical knowledge about pregnancy and childbirth, emotional support strategies, communication skills, and awareness of healthcare resources. Additionally, certification programs must provide education on critical topics such as health equity, implicit bias, racism, reproductive justice, cultural sensitivity, trauma-informed care, and diverse population needs, ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach to doula training and support.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1333