This bill aims to revise the laws related to doulas by transitioning from a system of certification to one of licensure and regulation. It establishes licensure requirements for doulas, which will take effect on January 1, 2027. The Department of Public Health and Human Services will be authorized to provide Medicaid coverage for services rendered by licensed doulas. The bill also includes provisions for rulemaking authority and amends existing sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to reflect these changes.

Key changes in the bill include the replacement of "certification" with "licensure" throughout, and the introduction of specific definitions related to doula services, including the delineation of antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. Additionally, the bill clarifies that traditional healing providers are not included in the definition of a doula and allows for the issuance of limited licenses for individuals engaged in supervised professional experience. The act is set to terminate on December 31, 2030, and includes a transition period for unlicensed doulas to obtain licensure based on their experience.

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(5): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_3(6): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_3(7): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_3(8): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_3: 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_4(1): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_4(2): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_4(3): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_4: 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_X(1): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_X(10): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_X(2): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_X(3): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_X(4): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_X(5): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_X(6): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_X(7): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_X(8): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_X(9): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
SB0319_X: 37-1-401, 53-6-101