What's happening
This bill establishes professional certification and requirements for doulas in New York, authorizing only certified individuals to use the title "certified doula."
Why it matters
Establishes clear professional standards and accountability for doulas. , which may help ensure that individuals providing these services have met specific educational, examination, and character requirements, potentially improving quality and safety for families.
Limits use of the title "certified doula" to those meeting state-mandated criteria. , which could help consumers distinguish between formally trained, state-recognized doulas and those without standardized credentials.
Creates a pathway for recognition of out-of-state or international doula credentials. if deemed equivalent, allowing experienced doulas from other regions to be certified in New York, which may help address workforce shortages.
Explicitly restricts certified doulas from performing duties outside their professional scope. , reinforcing boundaries between doula work and other health professions, which may protect clients and clarify roles within birth and postpartum care teams.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Certify Professional Doulas
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Substituted by A364B
- Amended on third reading 3344b
- Vote reconsidered - restored to third reading
- Returned to senate
- Recalled from assembly
- Referred to health
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 58–0
- Amended on third reading 3344a
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.243
Show 1 earlier action
- Referred to women's issues
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Certify Doulas Statewide
Vetoed · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3344--B Cal. No. 243
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 5, 2019
Introduced by Sens. RAMOS, BIAGGI, GAUGHRAN, KRUEGER, RIVERA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Women's Issues -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading -- passed by Senate and delivered to the Assembly, recalled, vote reconsidered, restored to third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to professional certification of doulas
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2509 to read as follows:
§ 2509. Certified doulas. 1. Definitions. As used in this section:
(a) "Certified doula" means an individual certified under this section who provides certified doula services.
(b) "Certified doula services" means continuous emotional and physical support provided by a certified doula throughout labor and birth, and intermittently during the prenatal and postpartum periods.
2. Use of title. Only a person certified under this section shall be authorized to use the title "certified doula".
3. Certificate. The commissioner shall issue a certificate as a certified doula to an individual who applies for certification and who qualifies under subdivision four of this section.
4. Requirements for a professional certification. To be certified under this section, an applicant shall fulfill the following requirements:
(a) Application: file an application with the department.
(b) Education: satisfactorily:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01668-05-9
S. 3344--B 2
(i) complete an educational program, in accordance with the commissioner's regulations; or
(ii) submit evidence of certification, the educational preparation for which is determined by the department to be equivalent to the foregoing, from any state or country, satisfactory to the department and in accordance with the commissioner's regulations.
(c) Examination: pass an examination satisfactory to the department and in accordance with the commissioner's regulations.
(d) Age: be at least eighteen years of age.
(e) Character: be of good moral character as determined by the department.
(f) Fee: pay a fee of forty dollars to the department for consideration of an application for certification.
5. Scope of practice. Nothing in this section authorizes a certified doula to engage in any act within the scope of practice of any other profession under title eight of the education law or any other law, unless the certified doula would be otherwise authorized to do so by law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the commissioner of health shall make regulations and take other actions reasonably necessary to implement this act on such date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to professional certification of doulas
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill amends the public health law to provide the requirements for professional certification for certified doulas.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends article 25 of the public health law by adding a new section 2509.
Read the full memo (626 words)
It provides the definitions of certified doulas and certified doula services and states that only a doula certified under this article shall be authorized to use the title of certified doula.
It provides requirements for certification including filing an applica- tion with the department; completing an educational program or submit- ting evidence of certification from an education program that is deter- mined to be in accordance with the commissioner's regulations; passing an examination; being at least eighteen years old; being of good moral character as defined by the department; and paying a fee.
It also clarifies that nothing in this section authorizes a certified doula to engage in any act within the scope of practice of any other profession under title eight of the education law or any other law, unless the certified doula would be otherwise authorized to do so by law.
Section two provides the effective date.
Justification
A recent report released by America's Health Rankings ranked New York State 30th in the nation for its maternal mortality rate. Furthermore, racial disparities exist, with four times as many African American women as white women dying in childbirth. Severe maternal morbidity also chal- lenges the public health community, where racial and ethnic disparities exist as well.
Investment in the prevention of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity is crucial to saving the lives of mothers and improving quali- ty of life for mothers, their children, their families, and their commu- nities.
Research suggests that doulas are effective in improving maternal health outcomes. Results from a 2008 study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggested that having support in labor, including with a doula, was among the most effective of the 41 birth practices. Doula support is associated with spontaneous vaginal birth, a shorter labor time, lower odds of preterm birth, and better neonatal health. Furthermore, a study published in the American Journal of Managed Care in August 2014 found that cesarean section deliveries occur less frequently among doula-assisted births. The study has also indi-
cated that African-American and low-income patients are less likely to have access to doulas.
In an effort to combat maternal mortality and improve the health of newborns in New York State, Governor Cuomo introduced a series of initi- atives including a pilot program that will allow doulas to be reimbursed for providing services, which would make doula services more accessible through overcoming income obstacles.
In order to standardize who may be reimbursed for doula services, this legislation provides the definition of a certified doula and states that only a doula certified under this article shall be authorized to use the title of certified doula. Furthermore, it outlines the requirements for certification including age restrictions, education and examination requirements.
Ensuring that certified doulas are properly trained and credentialed so that they are able to deliver the support and services that are so valu- able to patients is essential. Additionally, certification will bring greater awareness to the critical work of doulas, which may increase availability and access to doula support services.
Note that the bill does not create an exclusive scope of practice. It creates the title "certified doula," provides for becoming a certified doula, and restricts use of the title.
Prior legislative history
A.11147, referred to health, 2018
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
Ninetieth day after it becomes a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.