BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.53 Page 1 of 9 S.53 AnIntroduced actby relatingSenators toGulick, certificationClarkson, ofHardy, community-basedVyhovsky, perinatalWatson doulas and MedicaidWhite coverageReferred forto doulaCommittee serviceson ItGovernment isOperations herebyDate: enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
February 6, 2025 Subject:
Professions and occupations;
Office of Professional Regulation;
community-based perinatal doulas;
certification;
Medicaid Statement of purpose of bill as introduced:
This bill proposes to establish a process of voluntary certification for community-based perinatal doulas.
It would also require Medicaid coverage for doula services during labor and birth and for the prenatal and postpartum periods.
An act relating to certification of community-based perinatal doulas and Medicaid coverage for doula services It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
COMMUNITY-BASED PERINATAL DOULAS §§ 4171. 4171.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.53 Page 2 of 9 (2) “Community-based doula” means an individual who provides doula services to under-resourced and marginalized populations at low or no cost, often through a community-based agency.
VT LEG #382105 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.53 Page 2 of 9 (6) “Perinatal” means the period of time encompassing pregnancy, childbirth, and up to one year postpartum.
§§ 4172. 4172.
§BILL 4173.AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.53 Page 3 of 9 § 4173.
VT LEG #382105 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.53 Page 3 of 9 (4) explain complaint procedures to the public;
(6) administer fees collected in accordance with this chapter and 33 V.S.A. V.S.A.
§BILL 4174.AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.53 Page 4 of 9 § 4174.
§§ 129b 129b and serve at the pleasure of the Secretary.
Appointees shall not have less than three years’ experience providing community-based perinatal doula services immediately preceding appointment and shall be actively engaged in VT LEG #382105 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.53 Page 4 of 9 delivering community-based perinatal doula services in Vermont during incumbency.
§§ 4175. 4175.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.53 Page 5 of 9 (2) has sufficient and appropriate competencies in community-based perinatal doula services, whether acquired through experience, mentorship, training, formal education, or a combination of these, as determined by the Director by rule;
VT§ 4176. LEG #382105 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.53 Page 5 of 9 § 4176.
CERTIFICATE RENEWAL A community-based perinatal doula certification shall be renewed every two years upon application, payment of the required fee in accordance with 33 V.S.A. V.S.A.
§§ 125, 125, and proof of compliance with any continuing education or demonstrated competency requirements established by rule.
§§ 4177. 4177.
§§ 129a, 129a, whether committed by a certified community-based perinatal doula or an applicant.
(b) The Office of Professional Regulation may discipline a certified community-based perinatal doula for unprofessional conduct as provided in 33 V.S.A. V.S.A.
§§ 129a. 129a.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.53 Page 6 of 9 Sec.
§§ 122 122 is amended to read:
* * * VT LEG #382105 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.53 Page 6 of 9 (54) Community-Based Perinatal Doulas Sec.
§§ 123(j) 123(j) is amended to read:
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.53 Page 7 of 9 * * * Sec.
§§ 125 125 is amended to read:
* * * VT LEG #382105 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.53 Page 7 of 9 (2) Application for licensure or certification, $115.00, except application for:
§§ 1901n 1901n is added to read:
§§ 1901n. 1901n.
MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR DOULA SERVICES BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.53 Page 8 of 9 (a) As used in this section, “certified community-based perinatal doula” means a community-based perinatal doula who holds a certificate issued pursuant to 26 V.S.A.
VT LEG #382105 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.53 Page 8 of 9 (2) A certified community-based perinatal doula shall not receive reimbursement for travel time or mileage expenses.
STATE PLAN AMENDMENT The Department of Vermont Health Access shall seek a state plan amendment from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services if needed to BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.53 Page 9 of 9 allow Vermont’s Medicaid program to provide coverage for doula services in accordance with 33 V.S.A.
§§ 1901n, 1901n, as added by this act.
1–4 (establishing certification program for community-based perinatal doulas) shall take effect on July 1, 2026, provided that the Director of the Office of Professional Regulation shall commence the rulemaking process VT LEG #382105 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.53 Page 9 of 9 prior to that date in order to ensure that the rules will be in effect on July 1, 2026.
§§ 1901n; 1901n;
VT LEG #382105 v.1