LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY, Nos. 4222 and 4944

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

DATED: JUNE 9, 2025

SUMMARY

Synopsis:	Requires New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority to establish public awareness campaign on benefits of doula and midwife services.
Type of Impact:	Annual State expenditure increase.
Agencies Affected:	New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority, Department of Health, and Department of Human Services.

Office of Legislative Services Estimate
Fiscal Impact	Annual
State Expenditure Increase	$100,000

· The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) concludes that State costs will increase by $100,000 annually for the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority to establish a public awareness campaign, consisting of print and electronic materials, to educate the public regarding the benefits of doula and midwife services.

· Estimated costs are comparable to annual State costs between FY 2023 and FY 2025 for the Department of Health’s stillbirth prevention public health campaign, which also utilizes print and electronic media to provide information targeted to pregnant persons.

BILL DESCRIPTION

      The bill requires the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority, in consultation with the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services, to establish a public awareness campaign to provide information to the general public about the benefits of doula and midwife services.  The public awareness campaign will include, at a minimum, a comprehensive description of: (1) the person-centered and supportive services provided for birthing persons and infants during the prenatal, birthing, and postpartum periods by doulas and midwives; (2) the culturally competent nature of the care and services provided by doulas and midwives to birthing persons; (3) the health benefits and improved maternal and infant health outcomes that may result from doula and midwives; and (4) any free or low-cost resources made available by the State for doula and midwife services.

      The New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority will, at a minimum: (1) provide for the development of printed and electronic educational materials related to the public awareness campaign in additional languages to those State government entities are to use pursuant to P.L.2023, c.263; and (2) make those materials available for download online and encourage the distribution of the materials to the public through a variety of entities.

FISCAL ANALYSIS

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

      None received.

OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

      The OLS concludes that State costs will increase by $100,000 annually for the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority to establish a public awareness campaign, consisting of print and electronic materials, to educate the public regarding the benefits of doula and midwife services.  These estimated costs are comparable to annual State costs between FY 2023 and FY 2025 for the Department of Health’s stillbirth prevention public health campaign, which employs print and electronic media to raise public awareness concerning stillbirth, educate pregnant persons on strategies to prevent stillbirth, and provide resources for families who have experienced stillbirth. 

Section:	Human Services
Analyst:	Sarah Schmidt Principal Research Analyst
Approved:	Thomas Koenig Legislative Budget and Finance Officer

This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.

This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67 (C.52:13B-6 et seq.).