[Second Reprint]
SENATE, No. 3091
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED APRIL 11, 2024
Sponsored by:
Senator M. TERESA RUIZ
District 29 (Essex and Hudson)
Senator ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT
District 31 (Hudson)
Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex and Hudson)
Assemblywoman LISA SWAIN
District 38 (Bergen)
Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Assemblywoman CARMEN THERESA MORALES
District 34 (Essex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Burgess, Assemblywomen Sumter, Carter, Assemblyman Atkins, Assemblywomen Ramirez, Haider, Donlon, Peterpaul, Bagolie and Assemblyman Rodriguez
SYNOPSIS
Requires New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority to establish public awareness campaign on benefits of doula and midwife services.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As amended by the Senate on December 18, 2025.
An Act concerning doulas 1and midwife services1 and supplementing Title 30 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The 1[Commissioner of Human Services] New Jersey Maternal Infant Health Innovation Authority, established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2023, c.109 (C.26:18-20)1 , in consultation with the 1[Commissioner] Department1 of Health 1and the Department of Human Services1 2and subject to the availability of funds2, shall establish a public awareness campaign to provide information to the general public about 1the benefits of1 doulas 1and midwife services1. The 1public awareness1 campaign shall include 1[information on]1, at a minimum 1, a comprehensive description of1 :
(1) 1[the role of doulas in supporting individuals before, during, and after pregnancy] the person-centered and supportive services provided for birthing persons and infants during the prenatal, birthing, and postpartum periods by doulas and midwives1 ;
(2) 1[the services offered by doulas and the evidenced-based benefits of those services] the culturally competent nature of the care and services provided by doulas and midwives to birthing persons1 ; 1[and]1
(3) 1[any free or low-cost resources in the State related to doula services or increasing access to doula services] 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, including, but not limited to, information concerning NJ FamilyCare coverage of doula and midwife services for pregnant, birthing, and postpartum enrollees1 .
b. Notwithstanding any provisions of P.L.2023, c.263 1(C.52:14-40 et seq.)1 to the contrary, the 1[commissioner] President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Maternal Infant Health Innovation Authority1 shall, at a minimum:
(1) provide for the development of printed and electronic educational materials 1[about doulas in the top ten languages most commonly spoken in the] related to the public awareness campaign established pursuant to subsection a. of this section in additional languages to those all1 State 1government entities are required to use pursuant to P.L.2023, c.263 (C.52:14-40 et seq.)1; and
(2) make those materials available for download 1[on the Department of Human Services Internet website and disseminate those materials for distribution] online and encourage the distribution of the materials1 to the public through a variety of entities, including, but not limited to: local health agencies and clinics; local health care providers and facilities; reproductive health service providers, including, but not limited to, Planned Parenthood health clinics; local WIC agencies and clinic offices; county human services offices 1[,] ;1 pharmacies 1[,] ;1 and other community-based outreach programs and organizations in the State.
c. As used in this section:
1"Doula services" shall have the same meaning as provided in in section 1 of P.L.2023, c.286 (C.26:2H-12.6i).
"Midwife" means a certified midwife, a certified professional midwife, or a certified nurse midwife pursuant to R.S.45:10-1 et seq.1
"Reproductive health service provider" means a hospital, clinic, physician's office, or other facility that provides reproductive health services, including an employee, a volunteer, or a contractor of the provider.
"Reproductive health services" means medical, surgical, counseling, or referral services relating to the human reproductive system, including services relating to pregnancy or the termination of a pregnancy.
“WIC” means the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, established pursuant to the federal "Child Nutrition Act of 1966," Pub.L.89-642 (42 U.S.C. s.1771 et seq.).
2. This act shall take effect 1[immediately] on 2[the first day of the third month next following the date of enactment1] July 1, 20272.