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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to coverage for doula services under certain group benefit |
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plans for governmental employees and retirees. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1551.232 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1551.232. COVERAGE FOR DOULA SERVICES. (a) In this |
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section, "doula services" means nonmedical childbirth education, |
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coaching, and support services, including emotional and physical |
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support provided during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the |
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postpartum period, or provided intermittently during pregnancy and |
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the postpartum period. |
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(b) A health benefit plan provided under the group benefits |
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program must provide coverage for doula services. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 1575, Insurance Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1575.175 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1575.175. COVERAGE FOR DOULA SERVICES. (a) In this |
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section, "doula services" means nonmedical childbirth education, |
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coaching, and support services, including emotional and physical |
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support provided during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the |
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postpartum period, or provided intermittently during pregnancy and |
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the postpartum period. |
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(b) A basic plan provided under the group program must |
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provide coverage for doula services. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 1579, Insurance Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1579.113 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1579.113. COVERAGE FOR DOULA SERVICES. (a) In this |
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section, "doula services" means nonmedical childbirth education, |
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coaching, and support services, including emotional and physical |
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|
support provided during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the |
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|
postpartum period, or provided intermittently during pregnancy and |
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|
the postpartum period. |
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(b) A health coverage plan provided under this chapter must |
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provide coverage for doula services. |
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SECTION 4. Subchapter C, Chapter 1601, Insurance Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1601.112 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1601.112. COVERAGE FOR DOULA SERVICES. (a) In this |
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section, "doula services" means nonmedical childbirth education, |
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|
coaching, and support services, including emotional and physical |
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|
support provided during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the |
|
|
postpartum period, or provided intermittently during pregnancy and |
|
|
the postpartum period. |
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|
(b) A health benefit plan provided under this chapter must |
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provide coverage for doula services. |
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SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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a plan year that commences on or after January 1, 2026. |
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SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |