87R1929 JG-D
 
  By: Walle H.B. No. 415
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to doula services, including Medicaid coverage of doula
  services.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 32, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 32.0212 to read as follows:
         Sec. 32.0212.  DOULA SERVICES AND OPTIONAL DOULA
  CERTIFICATION. (a) In this section, "doula services" means
  childbirth education and support services, including emotional and
  physical support provided during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the
  postpartum period or provided intermittently during pregnancy and
  the postpartum period.
         (a-1)  The department, in consultation with the Texas
  Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee and other
  relevant entities, shall study methods for using doula services to
  improve birth outcomes of women who face a disproportionately
  greater risk of poor birth outcomes, including the feasibility of
  providing Medicaid coverage for doula services. The department and
  the review committee shall include the findings of the study and
  legislative recommendations in the joint biennial report submitted
  as required under Section 34.015 not later than September 1, 2022.
  This subsection expires September 1, 2025.
         (b)  The department and the commission shall post on their
  respective Internet websites informational resources regarding
  doula services, including a description of doula services and the
  benefits of using doula services.
         (c)  The department, in consultation with other relevant
  entities, shall develop a statewide, uniform curriculum for an
  optional doula certification.
         SECTION 2.  Section 32.024, Human Resources Code, is amended
  by adding Subsections (nn) and (nn-1) to read as follows:
         (nn)  The commission may provide medical assistance
  reimbursement for doula services, as defined by Section 32.0212,
  Health and Safety Code. If the commission provides medical
  assistance reimbursement for doula services, the executive
  commissioner by rule shall determine the doula services to be
  covered and any doula certification requirements.
         (nn-1)  The commission shall determine whether to provide
  medical assistance reimbursement for doula services under
  Subsection (nn) based on the findings and recommendations provided
  in the report required by Section 32.0212(a-1), Health and Safety
  Code. This subsection expires September 1, 2025.
         SECTION 3.  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 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.