§ 20-86bb — Doulas. Certification. Use of title “certified doula”. Application and fee. Qualifications. Certification by endorsement. Continuing education. Certification renewal. Disciplinary action.

(a) As used in this section, (1) “certified doula” means a doula who is certified by the Department of Public Health, and (2) “doula” means a trained, nonmedical professional who provides physical, emotional and informational support, virtually or in person, to a pregnant person and any family or friends supporting such person before, during and after birth. (b) The Doula Advisory Committee, established pursuant to section 20-86aa , shall advise the Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee, on matters relating to doula services, including, but not limited to, (1) access and promotion of education and resources for pregnant persons, and any family and friends supporting such person; (2) recommendations to improve access to doula care; and (3) furthering interagency efforts to address maternal health disparities. The committee shall decide to renew or disband the committee on an annual basis in a manner determined by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee. (c) The Doula Training Program Review Committee, established pursuant to section 20-86aa , shall (1) conduct an ongoing review of doula education and training programs, (2) provide the commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, with a list of approved doula education and training programs, which shall include training in core doula competencies, and (3) recommend certified doula continuing education requirements to the commissioner. (d) On and after October 1, 2023, no person shall use the title “certified doula” unless such person is certified pursuant to this section. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit a doula, who is not a certified doula, from providing doula services, provided such doula does not use the title “certified doula”. (e) Each person seeking certification to practice as a certified doula shall apply to the Department of Public Health, on forms prescribed by the commissioner, and pay an application fee of one hundred dollars. Such application shall include: (1) Proof that the applicant is eighteen years of age or older; (2) two reference letters from families or professionals with direct knowledge of the applicant's experience as a doula verifying the applicant's training or experience; and (3) (A) demonstration of the applicant's completion of a doula training program or a combination of such programs approved pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, or (B) an attestation by the applicant that such applicant has provided doula services to at least three families and training in not less than four core competencies identified by the Doula Training Program Review Committee during the five years preceding the date of the application. (f) The commissioner may grant certification by endorsement to a doula who presents evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the applicant is certified as a doula in another state or jurisdiction whose requirements for certification are substantially similar to those of this state for not less than two years before the date such doula submits an application for certification. No certification shall be issued under this section to any applicant against whom professional disciplinary action is pending or who is the subject of an unresolved complaint. (g) The commissioner shall adopt continuing education requirements for certified doulas provided by the Doula Training Program Review Committee pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. (h) Certification issued under this section may be renewed every three years. The certification shall be renewed in accordance with the provisions for renewal under section 19a-88 for a fee of one hundred dollars. Each certified doula applying for renewal shall provide to the commissioner evidence of completion of the continuing education requirements adopted pursuant to subsection (g) of this section. (i) The commissioner may take any disciplinary action set forth in section 19a-17 against a certified doula for failure to conform to the accepted standards of the profession including, but not limited to, any of the following reasons: (1) Fraud or deceit in obtaining or seeking reinstatement of a certification to practice as a certified doula; (2) engaging in fraud or material deception in the course of professional services or activities; (3) negligent, incompetent or wrongful conduct in professional activities; (4) aiding or abetting the use of the title “certified doula” by an individual who is not certified; (5) physical, mental or emotional illness or disorder resulting in an inability to conform to the accepted standards of the profession; or (6) abuse or excessive use of drugs, including alcohol, narcotics or chemicals. The commissioner may order a certified doula to submit to a reasonable physical or mental examination if such certified doula's physical or mental capacity to practice safely is the subject of an investigation. The commissioner may petition the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to enforce such order or any action taken pursuant to section 19a-17 . The commissioner shall give notice and an opportunity to be heard on any contemplated action under section 19a-17 .

Legislative History

(P.A. 23-147, S. 14.) History: P.A. 23-147 effective July 1, 2023.