Signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes the Certified Community-Based Doula Certification Act in Arkansas.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Certified Community-Based Doula Certification Act in Arkansas and authorizes doulas to only perform the following services (Sec. 1):

• Providing childbirth education;

• Helping pregnant women navigate the healthcare system;

• Advocating for pregnant women before, during, and after the birth of a child;

• Connecting pregnant women with community resources; and

• Supporting pregnant women with continuous emotional and physical support throughout labor and birth, and intermittently during the prenatal and postpartum periods.

• Authorizes and certifies birth and postpartum doulas in this state to improve maternal and infant outcomes (Sec. 1).

• Defines “Certified community-based doula” as an individual who is a trained professional who provides nonclinical emotional, physical, and informational support to women, before and during pregnancy, and continuing through the postpartum period (Sec. 1).

• Requires that on or before December 31, 2025, the Department of Human Services shall promulgate rules relating to the reimbursement of doulas under the Arkansas Medicaid Program (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes the Certified Community-Based Doula Certification Act in Arkansas.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Certified Community-Based Doula Certification Act in Arkansas and authorizes doulas to only perform the following services (Sec. 1):

• Providing childbirth education;

• Helping pregnant women navigate the healthcare system;

• Advocating for pregnant women before, during, and after the birth of a child;

• Connecting pregnant women with community resources; and

• Supporting pregnant women with continuous emotional and physical support throughout labor and birth, and intermittently during the prenatal and postpartum periods.

• Authorizes and certifies birth and postpartum doulas in this state to improve maternal and infant outcomes (Sec. 1).

• Defines “Certified community-based doula” as an individual who is a trained professional who provides nonclinical emotional, physical, and informational support to women, before and during pregnancy, and continuing through the postpartum period (Sec. 1).

• Requires that on or before December 31, 2025, the Department of Human Services shall promulgate rules relating to the reimbursement of doulas under the Arkansas Medicaid Program (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text