Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

Legislative Analysis
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DOULA SCHOLARSHIP FUND
                                                                                http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
House Bill 5826 (S-1) as passed by the Senate                                   Analysis available at
Sponsor: Rep. Mai Xiong                                                         http://www.legislature.mi.gov
House Committee: Health Policy [Discharged]
Senate Committee: Housing and Human Services
Complete to 12-10-24
SUMMARY:
        House Bill 5826 would create a doula scholarship program under which the Department of
        Health and Human Services (DHHS) could award one-time scholarships of up to $3,000 for
        the costs of doula training for Michigan residents who demonstrate insufficient financial
        resources to complete that training without financial assistance.
        A doula is an individual who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational
        support to a mother before, during, and shortly after childbirth to help the mother achieve a
        healthy and satisfying childbirth experience.
        Scholarship program
        An individual could apply for a scholarship by completing an application on a form provided
        by DHHS, including a signed statement of intent to become a doula in Michigan, and providing
        proof of residency, in addition to meeting the financial hardship requirement and any other
        standards established in DHHS rules. In addition, for the individual to be eligible, DHHS would
        have to determine that they will serve as a doula in a health professional shortage area 1 or with
        a medically underserved population. 2
        Financial hardship could be demonstrated through household income or through receipt of
        financial assistance under such programs as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
        (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
        (WIC), or the Social Security Administration SSI program, among other programs.
        Eligible costs could include costs for such things as books, workshop fees, examination fees,
        and membership fees. The doula training would have to be approved by the Michigan Doula
        Advisory Council in DHHS. 3 An individual could not receive more than one scholarship
        award.
1
  As defined in federal law (42 USC 254e): https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/254e
2
  As defined in federal law (42 USC 254b): https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/254b
3
  https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/maternal-and-infant-health/mdhhs-doula-initiative/doula-
advisory-council
See also https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdhhs/Maternal-and-Infant-Health/Michigan-
Doula-Advisory-Guidelines.pdf
For a list of approved training programs (as of November 2023), see: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/-
/media/Project/Websites/mdhhs/Maternal-and-Infant-Health/MDHHS-Approved-Doula-Training-Programs.pdf
House Fiscal Agency                                                                              Page 1 of 3
          Within six months after receiving an award, the recipient would have to document to DHHS
          that they have completed doula training, or are working toward it, or else DHHS would have
          to seek repayment of the award.
          DHHS would have to publicize the scholarship program in partnership with universities,
          nonprofit organizations, and any other appropriate entities.
          DHHS would have to promulgate rules to implement the above provisions.
          Doula Scholarship Fund
          The bill also would create the Doula Scholarship Fund in the state treasury. The state treasurer
          could receive assets from any source for the fund and would be responsible for managing the
          fund’s investment and earnings. Money in the fund at the close of the fiscal year would not
          lapse to the general fund.
          DHHS could spend money in the Doula Scholarship Fund, upon appropriation, only for the
          purpose of providing scholarships under the bill.
FISCAL IMPACT:
          The bill would have no immediate fiscal impact on the Department of Health and Human
          Services or local units of government. Grant distributions and administrative costs would be
          dependent upon appropriations by the legislature.
          The enrolled omnibus for fiscal year 2024-25 appropriations includes a one-time appropriation
          within the DHHS budget of $2.9 million for doula training and continuing education. See
          section 1948 of Article 6 of Enrolled Senate Bill 747 for additional details. 4
                                                               Legislative Analyst: Rick Yuille
                                                                    Fiscal Analyst: Kent Dell
4
    https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2024-SB-0747
House Fiscal Agency                                         HB 5826 (S-1) as passed by the Senate   Page 2 of 3
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
House Fiscal Agency                                    HB 5826 (S-1) as passed by the Senate   Page 3 of 3