ASSEMBLY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND WOMEN'S AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION No. 226

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 18, 2025

      The Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee reports favorably Assembly Joint Resolution No. 226.

This joint resolution designates April 11 of each year as “Black Doula Day” in New Jersey to coincide with “Global Black Doula Day.” 

      Doulas are professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a mother before, during, and after childbirth.  Doula care is an expanding field, found across all 50 states and 50 countries globally.  Doula care can improve birth-related outcomes, including lowering the rate of cesarean sections, low birth weights and premature labor, and decreased epidural use. 

      New Jersey is the third State in the country to cover doula care under Medicaid. However, New Jersey also ranks 25th the country in maternal mortality, with Black mothers being more than seven times more likely to die from maternity-related complications than white mothers.