An Act to expand the doula workforce

This bill creates a new state fund called the Maternal Health Justice Fund to support and expand the doula workforce in Massachusetts. The fund, managed by the Department of Public Health, will provide scholarships to individuals pursuing doula certification and offer financial assistance to community programs and agencies focused on maternal health. To ensure quality care, the bill establishes specific training requirements for doulas, including education on health equity, implicit bias, and trauma-informed care. Additionally, the legislation defines a doula as a trained professional who offers non-medical physical, emotional, and informational support to pregnant individuals and families.