Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes a significant change in the regulation of doulas in Montana by shifting from a certification system to a licensure system. The bill introduces voluntary licensure requirements, enabling the Department of Public Health and Human Services to offer Medicaid coverage for services provided by licensed doulas. It defines key terms such as "antepartum," "intrapartum," and "postpartum," and clarifies that a doula is a trained, nonmedical professional who supports pregnant women. Notably, the bill excludes traditional healing providers and individuals offering services to friends or family from the definition of a doula.

The legislation mandates that, starting January 1, 2027, individuals must be licensed to practice as a doula, with the Department of Labor and Industry overseeing the licensing process based on established competencies. It allows for exemptions for qualified individuals from other professions and grants rulemaking authority to the department for implementing the new licensure system. A transition provision permits unlicensed doulas who have practiced before January 1, 2026, to obtain licensure by demonstrating equivalent experience. The bill also sets a deadline of December 31, 2027, for individuals to provide evidence to qualify for licensure and specifies an effective date of January 1, 2026, for the new regulations, allowing time for compliance.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_1(1): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_1(2): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_1(3): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_1(4): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_1(5): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_1(6): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_1(7): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_1(8): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_1: 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_2(1): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_2(10): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_2(2): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_2(3): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_2(4): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_2(5): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_2(6): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_2(7): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_2(8): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_2(9): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_2: 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_3(1): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_3(2): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_3(3): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_3(4): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_3: 37-1-401, 53-6-101