No. SB 1456
Filed under Development & Land Use.
Doula Workforce Development; Establishing the Doula Workforce Development Support Program within the Department of Commerce to provide grants and technical assistance to eligible doula training entities for a specified purpose; requiring the department to prioritize support to high-need regions; specifying authorized uses of the grant funds; requiring the department to submit annual reports to the Governor and the Legislature by a specified date, etc. APPROPRIATION: $7,500,000
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATEDThe Department of Commerce will distribute $7.5 million in grants to nonprofit and private organizations that train doulas. This is a new state funding stream for maternal health workforce development.
Grants must prioritize entities serving high-need regions, including rural areas with limited maternity care and urban counties with high maternal morbidity disparities. The program targets specific geographic gaps in birth support services.
Funds may be used for training expansion, instructor pay, and business development for doulas. However, the department is prohibited from using funds to directly hire doulas as state employees or contractors.
The department must submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature by December 1, detailing grant recipients, the number of doulas trained, and workforce outcomes. Any unspent funds revert to the General Revenue Fund by June 30, 2027.
AICreates a new state program within the Department of Commerce to provide grants and technical assistance to eligible doula training entities.
AIRequires the department to prioritize grant support for entities serving areas with high maternal morbidity, limited obstetric providers, or recent hospital closures.
AIAllows grants to be used for training expansion, instructor compensation, business development, and stipends, but prohibits using funds to directly hire doulas as state employees.
AIAppropriates $7.5 million from the General Revenue Fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, with up to $500,000 reserved for administrative expenses.