SB 319 Montana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Generally revise health care laws related to doulas

This bill establishes a state licensure system for doulas, defining them as nonmedical professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. Beginning January 1, 2027, individuals wishing to practice as state-licensed doulas must obtain a license from the Department of Labor and Industry. Licensure requires paying fees, completing specific competencies, and adhering to professional conduct standards. Additionally, the bill allows the Department of Public Health and Human Services to provide Medicaid coverage for services offered by state-licensed doulas.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 14, 2025 Signed May 16, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 7 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB0319_X(4).pdf SB0319_X(5).pdf · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was revised to streamline language regarding doula licensure and remove redundant references to 'certification' in favor of a unified 'licensure' framework. The definition of a doula was expanded to explicitly include support during the postpartum period, broadening the scope of covered services. Additionally, the text was cleaned up to remove conflicting headers and formatting errors present in the previous draft.
Scope change
The bill's scope was slightly expanded by explicitly including postpartum support within the legal definition of a doula, ensuring these services are covered under the new licensure rules.
DEFINITION

The definition of 'Doula' was updated to include support during the postpartum period, whereas the previous version only covered antepartum or intrapartum periods.

The definition of 'Antepartum' was shortened to remove the redundant phrase 'the end of pregnancy' after 'labor and delivery'.

REQUIREMENT

Language was revised to consistently use 'licensure' instead of mixing 'certification' and 'licensure', clarifying that the Department of Public Health and Human Services will regulate doulas through a licensing system.

TECHNICAL

Redundant and conflicting header text regarding 'certification licensure' was removed to improve clarity and consistency.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 30, 2025 · House Apr 30, 2025

How they voted

2822
Passed
Total votes 50
Apr 30, 2025
D Democratic18
18 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican32
10 Yea 22 Nay
68% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
64
Key actions
11
Committee
10
Amendments
2
May 13, 2025
Signed into law
(S) Signed by Governor
upper
May 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
May 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (28-22)
senate
Apr 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Hearing - Conference Committee on SB 319
upper
Apr 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Conference Committee Appointed
upper
Apr 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Conference Committee Appointed
lower
Apr 12, 2025
Introduced
(H) Returned to Senate with Amendments
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Human Services
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Human Services
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Human Services
lower
Mar 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Finance and Claims
upper
Mar 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Finance and Claims
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
(S) Rereferred to Committee - (S) Finance and Claims
upper
Mar 1, 2025
Amended
(S) Tabled in Committee - (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety
upper
Feb 14, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety
upper
Feb 14, 2025
Introduced
(S) Introduced
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Cora Neumann
Cora Neumann
DDemocratic
MT
30