Bill
Bill > HB78
summary
Introduced
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
In Committee
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Provide For The Certification Of Birth Doulas By The State Department Of Health; To Require The Department To Establish The Competency-based Requirements That A Birth Doula Must Meet To Obtain Certification; To Require The Department To Establish Certification And Renewal Fees, Administrative Procedures, Disciplinary Procedures, Continuing Education Requirements, Administrative Requirements And Forms Necessary To Implement This Act; To Create In The State Treasury A Special Fund To Be Known As The Birth Doula Certification Fund, And Provide That Monies In The Fund Shall Be Expended By The Department For The Administration Of This Act; To Provide That This Act Does Not Prohibit A Person From Practicing As A Birth Doula Without Obtaining Certification Under This Act; To Prohibit Persons From Using The Title "state-certified Birth Doula" In Connection With The Person's Name To Indicate Or Imply That The Person Is A State-certified Birth Doula Without Being Certified As A Birth Doula In Accordance With This Act; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a voluntary certification process for birth doulas, who are defined as non-medical support persons providing physical, emotional, and informational assistance during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period, without providing medical care. The State Department of Health will be responsible for creating competency-based requirements for certification, which can be met through approved training programs or culturally relevant ancestral practices. The department will also set certification and renewal fees, establish administrative and disciplinary procedures, mandate continuing education, and create necessary forms. A dedicated "Birth Doula Certification Fund" will be created in the State Treasury, funded by collected fees and other sources, to cover the administrative costs of this act. Importantly, this bill does not prevent individuals from practicing as birth doulas without certification, but it prohibits them from using the title "state-certified birth doula" unless they have obtained official certification.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0078.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/HB/0001-0099/HB0078IN.htm |
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