How HB 426 changes current law

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This Act amends existing law to ensure access to doula and midwifery services for pregnant women in DOC custody at Levels IV or V and mandates the creation of a birth plan and annual reporting on service utilization.

• § 6536A

  a statement on whether the woman intends to express breast milk and a plan on how the woman will do so. → A statement on whether the woman intends to express breast milk and a plan on how the woman will do so.

  A specific statement regarding breastfeeding plans is clarified in the birth plan requirements.

• § 6536A

  the department Department shall provide midwifery or doula services → the Department shall provide midwifery or doula services

  Corrects a redundancy in the wording pertaining to the Department's responsibilities.

• § 6536A

  Services under this section may not supplant health-care services routinely provided to women subject to the custody of the Department at Level IV or V. → Services under this section may not supplant health-care services routinely provided to women subject to the custody of the Department at Level IV or V.

  Reiterates that doula and midwifery services should not replace existing healthcare services.

• § 6536A

  The Department shall ensure that pregnant women subject to this section are able to meet with a doula or midwife to create a written birth plan surrounding the birth of their child. → The Department shall ensure that pregnant women subject to this section are able to meet with a doula or midwife to create a written birth plan surrounding the birth of their child.

  Confirms the requirement for meeting with a doula or midwife to create a birth plan.

• § 6536A

  Nothing in this section prevents the Department from adopting policy guidelines for the delivery of midwifery or doula services to pregnant or postpartum women subject to the custody of the Department at Level IV or V. → Nothing in this section prevents the Department from adopting policy guidelines for the delivery of midwifery or doula services to pregnant or postpartum women subject to the custody of the Department at Level IV or V.

  Reaffirms the Department's authority to adopt guidelines for service delivery.

• § 6536A

  Included some supporting definitions. → Definitions.

  Introduces clarified definitions related to doula and midwifery services.