87R1697 MWC-D
 
  By: Thierry H.B. No. 158
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to Medicaid coverage of doula services.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 32.024, Human Resources Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (nn) to read as follows:
         (nn)  The commission shall provide medical assistance
  reimbursement for services provided by a doula, including
  childbirth education and emotional and physical support provided
  during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. The
  executive commissioner by rule shall determine the qualifications
  necessary for an individual to be considered a doula and the doula
  services to be covered under the medical assistance program.
         SECTION 2.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
  a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
  federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
  the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
  authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
  waiver or authorization is granted.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.