Bill > S0514

Introduced Session

An act relating to the Doula Support for Healthy Births pilot program; creating s. 383.295, F.S.; defining terms; establishing the pilot program in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties for a specified purpose, subject to a specific appropriation in the General Appropriations Act; providing the purpose of the pilot program; requiring the Department of Health, in collaboration with its maternal and child health section, to implement and oversee the pilot program; specifying the duration of the pilot program, based on appropriated funds; requiring the pilot program to target specified populations for enrollment; specifying services that must be provided under the pilot program; requiring the department to collaborate with specified entities to integrate doula services into existing maternal health programs and facilitate outreach and service delivery; authorizing the department to integrate doula services into existing maternal and child health programs as an expansion of the pilot program, subject to certain requirements; creating the Doula Certification Task Force within the department for a specified purpose; requiring the department to oversee and provide administrative support to the task force; providing for membership and meetings of the task force; specifying duties of the task force; requiring the task force to submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature by a specified date; providing for expiration of the task force; providing an effective date. WHEREAS, preterm birth is defined as a live birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation and is associated with increased morbidities or ailments, such as cerebral palsy, breathing difficulties, feeding problems, developmental delay, and vision and hearing problems, and WHEREAS, preterm labor occurs when regular contractions cause the cervix to open between 20 and 37 weeks of gestation, which can result in a baby being born before 37 weeks of gestation, and the earlier the delivery, the greater the health risks for the baby, requiring special care in a neonatal intensive care unit and potentially causing long-term mental and physical health concerns, and WHEREAS, Florida’s preterm birth rate has risen annually since 2014 to its current average rate of 10.9 percent, higher than the national average of 10.5 percent, and WHEREAS, Florida ranks among the highest in the nation for infant mortality, with a rate of 5.9 deaths per 1,000 births, higher than the national average of 5.4 deaths per 1,000 births, and WHEREAS, Florida also has one of the highest cesarean delivery rates in the nation at 37.4 percent, compared to the national average of 31.8 percent, with cesarean delivery being associated with increased risks to infants, including respiratory distress, infection, and long-term health complications, and WHEREAS, maternal mortality is defined as the annual number of female deaths from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management, excluding accidental or incidental causes, during pregnancy and childbirth or within 42 days after termination of a pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, and WHEREAS, Florida ranks 17th in the nation with a maternal mortality rate of 26.3 deaths per 100,000 births, compared to a national rate of 23.2 deaths per 100,000 births, and WHEREAS, Broward County has a maternal mortality rate of 24.8 deaths per 100,000 live births, and an infant mortality rate of 5 deaths per 1,000 live births, and WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County has a maternal mortality rate of 20.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, and an infant mortality rate of 4.8 deaths per 1,000 live births, and WHEREAS, Palm Beach County has a maternal mortality rate of 33.2 deaths per 100,000 live births, and an infant mortality rate of 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births, and WHEREAS, continued perinatal support, including the services provided by trained doulas, is associated with reduced rates of cesarean delivery and improved birth outcomes, and WHEREAS, Florida has ongoing challenges related to child safety and welfare, with statistics showing disparities in health and safety outcomes for children across racial and socioeconomic groups, and WHEREAS, doula care is the continuous, one-to-one emotional, informational, and physical support provided by a trained nonmedical professional to pregnant women and their families during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period, and WHEREAS, while doulas do not perform medical tasks, they provide an array of educational and support services throughout the birthing process to ensure that the mother has a positive and empowering experience, including, but not limited to, educational resources and information about pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care; assistance in creating a birth plan; continuous emotional support during labor and delivery; assistance with breathing techniques, relaxation, and positioning during labor; massage and counterpressure measures; facilitation of communication with medical staff; advocacy in and navigation of the medical setting; and postpartum support with newborn care and feeding, and WHEREAS, evidence-based support provided by trained doulas has been shown to enhance birth experiences, reduce cesarean deliveries, and improve overall health outcomes for mothers and infants, and WHEREAS, the state has a compelling interest in improving maternal and infant outcomes through increased access to high quality doula services, NOW, THEREFORE,

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Rosalind Osgood (D)*, 

Other Sponsors (1)

CS by Health Policy read 1st time (on 02/04/2026)

Official Document