A. The legislature hereby finds and affirms all of the following:

            (1) A doula is an individual who has been trained to provide physical, emotional, and educational support, but not medical or midwifery care, to pregnant and birthing women and their families before, during, and after childbirth.

            (2) Leading professional societies such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, have recognized the well-established benefits of maternity support services provided by doulas.

            (3) Research has demonstrated that support from a doula is associated with lower cesarean section rates, fewer obstetric interventions, fewer complications during and after childbirth, decreased use of pain medication, shorter labor hours, and higher scores on the Apgar test, which indicates how well a baby is doing outside of the womb.

            (4) As Louisiana currently ranks as a state with one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the United States, this state has a compelling interest in and obligation to promote practices that improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

            B.(1) A health coverage plan delivered or issued for delivery in this state that provides benefits for maternity services shall include coverage for maternity support services provided by a doula to pregnant and birthing women before, during, and after childbirth.

            (2) The coverage required pursuant to this Section may be subject to annual deductibles, coinsurance, and copayment provisions as are consistent with those established under the health coverage plan. The coverage may also be subject to a limit per pregnancy not to exceed one thousand five hundred dollars.

            (3)(a) The requirements established by a health coverage plan to insure the maternity support services provided by a doula before, during, and after childbirth shall not preclude a doula from practice in this state.

            (b) A doula may opt to practice in this state and forego any eligible reimbursement via a health coverage plan; however, a doula opting for reimbursement via a health coverage plan shall apply to the Louisiana Doula Registry Board for registration and receive an approved registration status.

            (c) In addition to the registration prescribed in Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph, a health insurance issuer or health coverage plan may establish additional credentialing standards for contracting with doulas.

            (4) Terminology in any health coverage plan policy or contract deemed discriminatory against doulas or maternity support services provided by doulas is void and unenforceable.

            C. For purposes of this Section, the following definitions apply:

            (1) “Doula” means the same as the term is defined in La. Rev. Stat. 22:1059.1.

            (2) “Health coverage plan” means the same as the term is defined in La. Rev. Stat. 22:1059.

            (3) “Maternity support services” means the physical, emotional, and educational support services provided by a doula to pregnant and birthing women before, during, and after childbirth. “Maternity support services” includes postpartum bereavement support.

            Acts 2022, No. 489, §1; Acts 2023, No. 270, §1.