An Act to expand the doula workforce

This bill establishes the Maternal Health Justice Fund to expand access to doulas in Massachusetts. The fund, managed by the Department of Public Health, will provide scholarships for people seeking doula certification - prioritizing historically marginalized groups, low-income applicants, and those in areas with limited doula services - and support community-based doula programs and maternal health workforce development. It requires certification programs to meet specific competencies, including training on health equity, implicit bias, racism, and trauma-informed care. The fund will be financed through state appropriations and non-state sources like grants or donations, with unused funds carried forward annually.