NY State Senate Bill 2023-S7779A

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Feb 15, 2024	print number 7779b
Feb 15, 2024	amend and recommit to finance
Feb 06, 2024	reported and committed to finance
Jan 03, 2024	referred to women's issues
Dec 22, 2023	print number 7779a
Dec 22, 2023	amend and recommit to rules
Dec 01, 2023	referred to rules

Votes

- Feb 5, 2024 - Women's Issues Committee Vote
  S7779A
  
  6
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  1
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Women's Issues Committee Vote: Feb 5, 2024
      
      aye (6)
      
      Persaud
      
      Salazar
      
      Scarcella-Spanton
      
      Serrano
      
      Webb
      
      Weik
      
      aye wr (1)
      
      Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick

Bill Amendments

Original

B (Active)

2023-S7779 - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Public Health Law
Laws Affected:: Add Art 25 Title 3-A §§2560 - 2563, Pub Health L; add §99-rr, St Fin L

2023-S7779 - Summary

Creates a community doula expansion grant program to support community-based doulas and community-based doula organizations; provides funding for recruitment, training, certification, supporting, and/or mentoring of community-based doulas.

2023-S7779 - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S7779

SPONSOR: BROUK
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the creation of a
community doula expansion grant program; and to amend the state finance
law, in relation to the community doula expansion grant program fund

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To establish a Community Doula Expansion Fund grant program for eligible
providers to receive funding towards the training and/or certification
of community-based doulas who provide culturally sensitive pregnancy and
childbirth education and/or support, and/or funding for other community
doula organization functions that could include but are not limited to:
mentorship, peer support, professional development/continuing education,
apprentice programs, data collection, as well as other related start-up
costs associated with community doula organizations offering individual
doulas assistance with Medicaid program enrollment and Medicaid and
managed care organization (MCO) claims submission and claims denial
resolution.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. States the legislative findings of this bill.

Section 2. Amends Article 25 of the public health law by adding a new
title 6a which provides for the set up of a Community Doula Expansion
Program. The new title 6A will contain new sections 2593, 2593a, 2593b,
2593c. Section 2593 establishes the Community Doula Expansion Program.
Section 2593a provides the definitions for the new title.  Section 2593b
provides the rules and regulations for the new title.  Section 2593c
provides the details of the report for the program.

Section 3. Amends the state finance law by adding new section 99-rr to
establish a Community Doula Expansion Fund under joint custody between
the state comptroller and commissioner of taxation and finance.

Section 4. Establishes the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Maternal mortality has devastating impacts on communities, children, and
families across New York State. Mortality as it relates to maternal
health is a public health crisis, as well as a human rights crisis.
According to recent reporting (2022) from the New York State Department
of Health, comparative to other states New York ranks 23rd in the nation
in maternal mortality.

Black women face more than five times the risk of mortality than white
women in New York. Data analysis by the New York State Department of
Health indicates that up to 78% of maternal deaths in this state are
preventable, and that racial discrimination plays a role in these nega-
tive health outcomes. The three most common causes of pregnancy-related
deaths for women in New York are embolism, hemorrhage, and mental health
conditions.


A doula is a trained, non-clinical professional who provides physical,
emotional, and informational support to a pregnant person before,
during, and after childbirth. Community doulas, in particular, are
trained to provide culturally sensitive pregnancy and childbirth educa-
tion that helps women navigate systems to connect to the services and
supports they need to be healthy. Providing better access to community
doula care and support services is a proven way to address maternal
morbidity and maternal mental health, and to reduce birth complications
for the mother and baby, particularly in vulnerable patient populations
like the Medicaid population.

Based on challenges identified during the New York State Doula Pilot
Program (2019-2023) and feedback offered by community doulas at the
(2023) New York State Department of Health's Doula Medicaid Services
Benefit Stakeholder Meetings, this Community Doula Expansion Fund will
create a grants program to build up community-based doula organizations
("eligible providers") to actively recruit, train, and support community
doulas to serve the Medicaid population. Without adequate state support
and funding, community doula organizations will be unable to effectively
implement programs that will truly make Medicaid doula services avail-
able to the most vulnerable populations in our state.

Community doulas best understand the scope and nature of doula work in
vulnerable Medicaid populations and must be consulted when structures
and processes for the state program are being implemented..A designated
grant program for the Community Doula Expansion Fund will secure funding
for the maintenance, recruitment, training, and administrative support
of this valuable workforce as it becomes an important tool in addressing
and combating maternal health disparities throughout the state.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2023-24: New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day it shall have become a
law.

2023-S7779 - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   7779
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             December 1, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  BROUK  -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
 
 AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to the creation of  a
   community  doula  expansion  grant  program;  and  to  amend the state
   finance law, in  relation  to  the  community  doula  expansion  grant
   program fund

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Legislative findings. The legislature hereby declares  that
 poor  maternal  and  infant health outcomes, especially when it comes to
 racial disparities, are a public health crisis that pose a threat to the
 health, welfare, and quality of life of child  bearing  people,  infants
 and  their families. The legislature hereby acknowledges that community-
 based doula care is  one  solution  in  addressing  this  public  health
 crisis.  The  legislature also acknowledges imbalances in how doula care
 is accessed in different communities. The legislature also  acknowledges
 how  doulas  in  the BIPOC community are integrated, or lack integration
 into the maternal health continuum. The  legislature  acknowledges  that
 those  seeking  to  become  community-based  doulas  face a multitude of
 barriers,  including  institutional  barriers,  within  the   healthcare
 continuum. The legislature hereby finds the importance in establishing a
 dedicated  fund  to  support  community-based doulas and community-based
 doula organizations. This fund would be assisting those trying to  navi-
 gate  the Federal and State Medicaid frameworks for doula care to become
 community-based doulas. Which would be one step in solving the  existing
 barriers to those seeking equitable prenatal, intranatal, and postpartum
 care services.
   §  2.  Article  25 of the public health law is amended by adding a new
 title 3-A to read as follows:
                                TITLE III-A
                     COMMUNITY DOULA EXPANSION PROGRAM

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD13594-01-3

 S. 7779                             2
 
 SECTION 2560. COMMUNITY DOULA EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM.
         2561. DEFINITIONS.
         2562. RULES AND REGULATIONS.
         2563. REPORT.
   § 2560. COMMUNITY  DOULA  EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM. THE COMMUNITY DOULA
 EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM IS ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.
   § 2561. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS TITLE:
   1.  "ELIGIBLE  PROVIDERS"  SHALL  MEAN  COMMUNITY-BASED  ORGANIZATIONS
 PROVIDING  FOR  THE RECRUITMENT, TRAINING, LICENSING, SUPPORTING, AND/OR
 MENTORING OF COMMUNITY-BASED DOULAS.
   2. "COMMUNITY-BASED DOULA" SHALL MEAN A CERTIFIED DOULA THAT  PROVIDES
 CULTURALLY  SENSITIVE  PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION, EARLY LINKAGE
 TO HEALTH CARE, AND AIDS BIRTHING PERSONS IN NAVIGATING  OTHER  SERVICES
 AND SUPPORTS THAT THEY MAY NEED TO BE HEALTHY.
   §  2562.  RULES AND REGULATIONS. 1. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH A
 COMMUNITY DOULA  EXPANSION  GRANT  PROGRAM  FOR  ELIGIBLE  PROVIDERS  TO
 RECEIVE  FUNDING IN THE PERFORMANCE OF RECRUITMENT, TRAINING, LICENSING,
 SUPPORTING, AND/OR MENTORING OF COMMUNITY-BASED  DOULAS.  SUCH  ELIGIBLE
 PROVIDERS  SHALL  MEET  PROFESSIONALLY  RECOGNIZED  TRAINING  STANDARDS,
 COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE STATE LAW AND REGULATIONS, AND SHALL  BE  CAPABLE
 OF PROVIDING CULTURALLY CONGRUENT CARE.
   2.  THE  COMMISSIONER  IS  AUTHORIZED, WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED FOR
 SUCH PURPOSE, TO MAKE GRANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS  SUBDIVISION.  SUCH
 GRANTS  MAY  BE  USED FOR BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY
 RECRUITMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, START-UP COSTS AND OTHER COSTS INCURRED FOR
 PROVIDING RECRUITMENT, TRAINING, LICENSING, SUPPORTING, AND/OR MENTORING
 OF COMMUNITY-BASED DOULAS.
   3. THERE SHALL BE AN EMPHASIS  OF  APPROPRIATING  GRANTS  TO  ELIGIBLE
 PROVIDERS  THAT  SPECIFICALLY  TRAIN,  RECRUIT,  AND  EMPLOY DOULAS FROM
 HISTORICALLY VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, BIPOC DOULAS, AND BILINGUAL DOULAS.
 THIS CAN INCLUDE GRANTS FOR DOULA APPRENTICE PROGRAMS.
   4. THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL  CREATE  AND  MAINTAIN  AN  AWARENESS  AND
 OUTREACH  PROGRAM.  THE  AWARENESS  AND OUTREACH PROGRAM SHALL BE ESTAB-
 LISHED FOR THE PURPOSE OF  PROVIDING  EDUCATION  AND  AWARENESS  OF  THE
 AVAILABLE GRANTS AND FUNDS TO ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS IN THE STATE.
   §  2563. REPORT. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE LIST
 OF REPORTING METRICS TO BE INCLUDED IN A REPORT DUE ON DECEMBER  THIRTY-
 FIRST,  TWO  THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, TO THE GOVER-
 NOR, TO THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, AND TO THE SPEAKER OF THE
 ASSEMBLY. THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE THE COMPREHENSIVE LIST  OF  REPORTING
 METRICS  AND  SHALL  INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF
 GRANTS ISSUED, THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS, AND THE REGION  OF  THE
 STATE WHERE THE ELIGIBLE PROVIDER IS LOCATED.
   § 3. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 99-rr to
 read as follows:
   §  99-RR.  COMMUNITY  DOULA  EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM FUND. 1. THERE IS
 HEREBY ESTABLISHED IN THE JOINT CUSTODY OF  THE  STATE  COMPTROLLER  AND
 COMMISSIONER  OF  TAXATION AND FINANCE A SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE
 "COMMUNITY DOULA EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM FUND".
   2. SUCH FUND SHALL CONSIST OF ALL MONIES APPROPRIATED THERETO FROM ANY
 OTHER FUND OR SOURCE PURSUANT TO LAW. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS  SECTION
 SHALL PREVENT THE STATE FROM RECEIVING GRANTS, GIFTS OR BEQUESTS FOR THE
 PURPOSES OF THE FUND AS DEFINED IN THIS SECTION AND DEPOSITING THEM INTO
 THE FUND ACCORDING TO LAW.
 S. 7779                             3
 
   3.  MONIES  SHALL BE PAYABLE FROM THE FUND ON THE AUDIT AND WARRANT OF
 THE COMPTROLLER ON VOUCHERS APPROVED AND CERTIFIED BY  THE  COMMISSIONER
 OF HEALTH.
   4.  THE  MONIES IN SUCH FUND SHALL BE EXPENDED FOR THE COMMUNITY DOULA
 EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  SECTION
 TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW.
   §  4.  This  act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary  for  the  implementation  of
 this  act  on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
 on or before such effective date.

co-Sponsors

2023-S7779A - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Public Health Law
Laws Affected:: Add Art 25 Title 3-A §§2560 - 2563, Pub Health L; add §99-rr, St Fin L

2023-S7779A - Summary

2023-S7779A - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S7779A

SPONSOR: BROUK
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the creation of a
community doula expansion grant program; and to amend the state finance
law, in relation to the community doula expansion grant program fund

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To establish a Community Doula Expansion Fund grant program for eligible
providers to receive funding towards the training and/or certification
of community-based doulas who provide culturally sensitive pregnancy and
childbirth education and/or support, and/or funding for other community
doula organization functions that could include but are not limited to:
mentorship, peer support, professional development/continuing education,
apprentice programs, data collection, as well as other related start-up
costs associated with community doula organizations offering individual
doulas assistance with Medicaid program enrollment and Medicaid and
managed care organization (MCO) claims submission and claims denial
resolution.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. States the legislative findings of this bill.

Section 2. Amends Article 25 of the public health law by adding a new
title 6a which provides for the set up of a Community Doula Expansion
Program. The new title 6A will contain new sections 2593, 2593a, 2593b,
2593c. Section 2593 establishes the Community Doula Expansion Program.
Section 2593a provides the definitions for the new title.  Section 2593b
provides the rules and regulations for the new title.  Section 2593c
provides the details of the report for the program.

Section 3. Amends the state finance law by adding new section 99-rr to
establish a Community Doula Expansion Fund under joint custody between
the state comptroller and commissioner of taxation and finance.

Section 4. Establishes the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Maternal mortality has devastating impacts on communities, children, and
families across New York State. Mortality as it relates to maternal
health is a public health crisis, as well as a human rights crisis.
According to recent reporting (2022) from the New York State Department
of Health, comparative to other states New York ranks 23rd in the nation
in maternal mortality.

Black women face more than five times the risk of mortality than white
women in New York. Data analysis by the New York State Department of
Health indicates that up to 78% of maternal deaths in this state are
preventable, and that racial discrimination plays a role in these nega-
tive health outcomes. The three most common causes of pregnancy-related
deaths for women in New York are embolism, hemorrhage, and mental health
conditions.


A doula is a trained, non-clinical professional who provides physical,
emotional, and informational support to a pregnant person before,
during, and after childbirth. Community doulas, in particular, are
trained to provide culturally sensitive pregnancy and childbirth educa-
tion that helps women navigate systems to connect to the services and
supports they need to be healthy. Providing better access to community
doula care and support services is a proven way to address maternal
morbidity and maternal mental health, and to reduce birth complications
for the mother and baby, particularly in vulnerable patient populations
like the Medicaid population.

Based on challenges identified during the New York State Doula Pilot
Program (2019-2023) and feedback offered by community doulas at the
(2023) New York State Department of Health's Doula Medicaid Services
Benefit Stakeholder Meetings, this Community Doula Expansion Fund will
create a grants program to build up community-based doula organizations
("eligible providers") to actively recruit, train, and support community
doulas to serve the Medicaid population. Without adequate state support
and funding, community doula organizations will be unable to effectively
implement programs that will truly make Medicaid doula services avail-
able to the most vulnerable populations in our state.

Community doulas best understand the scope and nature of doula work in
vulnerable Medicaid populations and must be consulted when structures
and processes for the state program are being implemented..A designated
grant program for the Community Doula Expansion Fund will secure funding
for the maintenance, recruitment, training, and administrative support
of this valuable workforce as it becomes an important tool in addressing
and combating maternal health disparities throughout the state.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2023-24: New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DAVIE:

This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day it shall have become a
law.

2023-S7779A - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  7779--A
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             December 1, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  BROUK  -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be  committed  to  the  Committee  on  Rules  --  committee
   discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
   to said committee
 
 AN  ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to the creation of a
   community doula expansion  grant  program;  and  to  amend  the  state
   finance  law,  in  relation  to  the  community  doula expansion grant
   program fund
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1. Legislative findings. The legislature hereby declares that
 poor maternal and infant health outcomes, especially when  it  comes  to
 racial disparities, are a public health crisis that pose a threat to the
 health,  welfare,  and  quality of life of child bearing people, infants
 and their families. The legislature hereby acknowledges that  community-
 based  doula  care  is  one  solution  in  addressing this public health
 crisis. The legislature also acknowledges imbalances in how  doula  care
 is  accessed in different communities. The legislature also acknowledges
 how doulas in the BIPOC community are integrated,  or  lack  integration
 into  the  maternal  health continuum. The legislature acknowledges that
 those seeking to become  community-based  doulas  face  a  multitude  of
 barriers,   including  institutional  barriers,  within  the  healthcare
 continuum. The legislature hereby finds the importance in establishing a
 dedicated fund to support  community-based  doulas  and  community-based
 doula  organizations. This fund would be assisting those trying to navi-
 gate the Federal and State Medicaid frameworks for doula care to  become
 community-based  doulas. Which would be one step in solving the existing
 barriers to those seeking equitable prenatal, intranatal, and postpartum
 care services.
   § 2. Article 25 of the public health law is amended by  adding  a  new
 title 3-A to read as follows:

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD13594-02-3

 S. 7779--A                          2
 
                                TITLE III-A
                     COMMUNITY DOULA EXPANSION PROGRAM
 SECTION 2560. COMMUNITY DOULA EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM.
         2561. DEFINITIONS.
         2562. RULES AND REGULATIONS.
         2563. REPORT.
   § 2560. COMMUNITY  DOULA  EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM. THE COMMUNITY DOULA
 EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM IS ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.
   § 2561. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS TITLE:
   1.  "ELIGIBLE  PROVIDERS"  SHALL  MEAN  COMMUNITY-BASED  ORGANIZATIONS
 PROVIDING  FOR  THE  RECRUITMENT,  TRAINING,  CERTIFICATION, SUPPORTING,
 AND/OR MENTORING OF COMMUNITY-BASED DOULAS.
   2. "COMMUNITY-BASED DOULA" SHALL MEAN A CERTIFIED DOULA THAT  PROVIDES
 CULTURALLY  SENSITIVE  PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION, EARLY LINKAGE
 TO HEALTH CARE, AND AIDS BIRTHING PERSONS IN NAVIGATING  OTHER  SERVICES
 AND SUPPORTS THAT THEY MAY NEED TO BE HEALTHY.
   §  2562.  RULES AND REGULATIONS. 1. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH A
 COMMUNITY DOULA  EXPANSION  GRANT  PROGRAM  FOR  ELIGIBLE  PROVIDERS  TO
 RECEIVE  FUNDING  IN  THE  PERFORMANCE OF RECRUITMENT, TRAINING, CERTIF-
 ICATION, SUPPORTING, AND/OR MENTORING OF  COMMUNITY-BASED  DOULAS.  SUCH
 ELIGIBLE  PROVIDERS SHALL MEET PROFESSIONALLY RECOGNIZED TRAINING STAND-
 ARDS, COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE STATE LAW AND  REGULATIONS,  AND  SHALL  BE
 CAPABLE OF PROVIDING CULTURALLY CONGRUENT CARE.
   2.  THE  COMMISSIONER  IS  AUTHORIZED, WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED FOR
 SUCH PURPOSE, TO MAKE GRANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS  SUBDIVISION.  SUCH
 GRANTS  MAY  BE  USED FOR BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY
 RECRUITMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, START-UP COSTS AND OTHER COSTS INCURRED FOR
 PROVIDING  RECRUITMENT,  TRAINING,  CERTIFICATION,  SUPPORTING,   AND/OR
 MENTORING OF COMMUNITY-BASED DOULAS.
   3.  THERE  SHALL  BE  AN  EMPHASIS OF APPROPRIATING GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE
 PROVIDERS THAT SPECIFICALLY  TRAIN,  RECRUIT,  AND  EMPLOY  DOULAS  FROM
 HISTORICALLY VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, BIPOC DOULAS, AND BILINGUAL DOULAS.
 THIS CAN INCLUDE GRANTS FOR DOULA APPRENTICE PROGRAMS.
   4.  THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL  CREATE  AND  MAINTAIN  AN  AWARENESS AND
 OUTREACH PROGRAM. THE AWARENESS AND OUTREACH  PROGRAM  SHALL  BE  ESTAB-
 LISHED  FOR  THE  PURPOSE  OF  PROVIDING  EDUCATION AND AWARENESS OF THE
 AVAILABLE GRANTS AND FUNDS TO ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS IN THE STATE.
   § 2563. REPORT. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE  LIST
 OF  REPORTING METRICS TO BE INCLUDED IN A REPORT DUE ON DECEMBER THIRTY-
 FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, TO  THE  GOVER-
 NOR, TO THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, AND TO THE SPEAKER OF THE
 ASSEMBLY.  THE  REPORT SHALL INCLUDE THE COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF REPORTING
 METRICS AND SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE  TOTAL  AMOUNT  OF
 GRANTS  ISSUED,  THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS, AND THE REGION OF THE
 STATE WHERE THE ELIGIBLE PROVIDER IS LOCATED.
   § 3. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 99-rr to
 read as follows:
   § 99-RR. COMMUNITY DOULA EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM  FUND.  1.  THERE  IS
 HEREBY  ESTABLISHED  IN  THE  JOINT CUSTODY OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER AND
 COMMISSIONER OF TAXATION AND FINANCE A SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN  AS  THE
 "COMMUNITY DOULA EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM FUND".
   2. SUCH FUND SHALL CONSIST OF ALL MONIES APPROPRIATED THERETO FROM ANY
 OTHER  FUND OR SOURCE PURSUANT TO LAW. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION
 SHALL PREVENT THE STATE FROM RECEIVING GRANTS, GIFTS OR BEQUESTS FOR THE
 PURPOSES OF THE FUND AS DEFINED IN THIS SECTION AND DEPOSITING THEM INTO
 THE FUND ACCORDING TO LAW.
 S. 7779--A                          3
 
   3. MONIES SHALL BE PAYABLE FROM THE FUND ON THE AUDIT AND  WARRANT  OF
 THE  COMPTROLLER  ON VOUCHERS APPROVED AND CERTIFIED BY THE COMMISSIONER
 OF HEALTH.
   4.  THE  MONIES IN SUCH FUND SHALL BE EXPENDED FOR THE COMMUNITY DOULA
 EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  SECTION
 TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW.
   §  4.  This  act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary  for  the  implementation  of
 this  act  on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
 on or before such effective date.

co-Sponsors

2023-S7779B (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Public Health Law
Laws Affected:: Add Art 25 Title 3-A §§2560 - 2563, Pub Health L; add §99-rr, St Fin L

2023-S7779B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2023-S7779B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S7779B

SPONSOR: BROUK
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the creation of a
community doula expansion grant program; and to amend the state finance
law, in relation to the community doula expansion grant program fund

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To establish a Community Doula Expansion Fund grant program for eligible
providers to receive funding towards the training and/or certification
of community-based doulas who provide culturally sensitive pregnancy and
childbirth education and/or support, and/or funding for other community
doula organization functions that could include but are not limited to:
mentorship, peer support, professional development/continuing education,
apprentice programs, data collection, as well as other related start-up
costs associated with community doula organizations offering individual
doulas assistance with Medicaid program enrollment and Medicaid and
managed care organization (MCO) claims submission and claims denial
resolution.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. States the legislative findings of this bill.

Section 2. Amends Article 25 of the public health law by adding a new
title 6a which provides for the set up of a Community Doula Expansion
Program. The new title 6A will contain new sections 2593, 2593a, 2593b,
2593c. Section 2593 establishes the Community Doula Expansion Program.
Section 2593a provides the definitions for the new title.  Section 2593b
provides the rules and regulations for the new title.  Section 2593c
provides the details of the report for the program.

Section 3. Amends the state finance law by adding new section 99-rr to
establish a Community Doula Expansion Fund under joint custody between
the state comptroller and commissioner of taxation and finance.

Section 4. Establishes the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Maternal mortality has devastating impacts on communities, children, and
families across New York State. Mortality as it relates to maternal
health is a public health crisis, as well as a human rights crisis.
According to recent reporting (2022) from the New York State Department
of Health, comparative to other states New York ranks 23rd in the nation
in maternal mortality.

Black women face more than five times the risk of mortality than white
women in New York. Data analysis by the New York State Department of
Health indicates that up to 78% of maternal deaths in this state are
preventable, and that racial discrimination plays a role in these nega-
tive health outcomes. The three most common causes of pregnancy-related
deaths for women in New York are embolism, hemorrhage, and mental health
conditions.


A doula is a trained, non-clinical professional who provides physical,
emotional, and informational support to a pregnant person before,
during, and after childbirth. Community doulas, in particular, are
trained to provide culturally sensitive pregnancy and childbirth educa-
tion that helps women navigate systems to connect to the services and
supports they need to be healthy. Providing better access to community
doula care and support services is a proven way to address maternal
morbidity and maternal mental health, and to reduce birth complications
for the mother and baby, particularly in vulnerable patient populations
like the Medicaid population.

Based on challenges identified during the New York State Doula Pilot
Program (2019-2023) and feedback offered by community doulas at the
(2023) New York State Department of Health's Doula Medicaid Services
Benefit Stakeholder Meetings, this Community Doula Expansion Fund will
create a grants program to build up community-based doula organizations
("eligible providers") to actively recruit, train, and support community
doulas to serve the Medicaid population. Without adequate state support
and funding, community doula organizations will be unable to effectively
implement programs that will truly make Medicaid doula services avail-
able to the most vulnerable populations in our state.

Community doulas best understand the scope and nature of doula work in
vulnerable Medicaid populations and must be consulted when structures
and processes for the state program are being implemented..A designated
grant program for the Community Doula Expansion Fund will secure funding
for the maintenance, recruitment, training, and administrative support
of this valuable workforce as it becomes an important tool in addressing
and combating maternal health disparities throughout the state.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2023-24: New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day it shall have become a
law.

2023-S7779B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  7779--B
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             December 1, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sens.  BROUK, FERNANDEZ, JACKSON, WEBB -- read twice and
   ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee  on
   Rules  --  committee  discharged,  bill  amended, ordered reprinted as
   amended and recommitted  to  said  committee  --  recommitted  to  the
   Committee  on  Women's Issues in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8
   -- reported favorably from said committee and committed to the Commit-
   tee  on  Finance  --  committee  discharged,  bill  amended,   ordered
   reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
 
 AN  ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to the creation of a
   community doula expansion  grant  program;  and  to  amend  the  state
   finance  law,  in  relation  to  the  community  doula expansion grant
   program fund
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1. Legislative findings. The legislature hereby declares that
 poor maternal and infant health outcomes, especially when  it  comes  to
 racial disparities, are a public health crisis that pose a threat to the
 health,  welfare,  and  quality of life of child bearing people, infants
 and their families. The legislature hereby acknowledges that  community-
 based  doula  care  is  one  solution  in  addressing this public health
 crisis. The legislature also acknowledges imbalances in how  doula  care
 is  accessed in different communities. The legislature also acknowledges
 how doulas in the BIPOC community are integrated,  or  lack  integration
 into  the  maternal  health continuum. The legislature acknowledges that
 those seeking to become  community-based  doulas  face  a  multitude  of
 barriers,   including  institutional  barriers,  within  the  healthcare
 continuum. The legislature hereby finds the importance in establishing a
 dedicated fund to support  community-based  doulas  and  community-based
 doula  organizations. This fund would be assisting those trying to navi-
 gate the Federal and State Medicaid frameworks for doula care to  become
 community-based  doulas. Which would be one step in solving the existing
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD13594-03-4

 S. 7779--B                          2
 
 barriers to those seeking equitable prenatal, intranatal, and postpartum
 care services.
   §  2.  Article  25 of the public health law is amended by adding a new
 title 3-A to read as follows:
                                TITLE III-A
                     COMMUNITY DOULA EXPANSION PROGRAM
 SECTION 2560. COMMUNITY DOULA EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM.
         2561. DEFINITIONS.
         2562. RULES AND REGULATIONS.
         2563. REPORT.
   § 2560. COMMUNITY DOULA EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM. THE  COMMUNITY  DOULA
 EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM IS ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.
   § 2561. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS TITLE:
   1.  "ELIGIBLE  PROVIDERS"  SHALL  MEAN  COMMUNITY-BASED  ORGANIZATIONS
 PROVIDING FOR  THE  RECRUITMENT,  TRAINING,  CERTIFICATION,  SUPPORTING,
 AND/OR MENTORING OF COMMUNITY-BASED DOULAS.
   2.  "COMMUNITY-BASED DOULA" SHALL MEAN A CERTIFIED DOULA THAT PROVIDES
 CULTURALLY SENSITIVE PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION,  EARLY  LINKAGE
 TO  HEALTH  CARE, AND AIDS BIRTHING PERSONS IN NAVIGATING OTHER SERVICES
 AND SUPPORTS THAT THEY MAY NEED TO BE HEALTHY.
   § 2562. RULES AND REGULATIONS. 1. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL  ESTABLISH  A
 COMMUNITY  DOULA  EXPANSION  GRANT  PROGRAM  FOR  ELIGIBLE  PROVIDERS TO
 RECEIVE FUNDING IN THE PERFORMANCE  OF  RECRUITMENT,  TRAINING,  CERTIF-
 ICATION,  SUPPORTING,  AND/OR  MENTORING OF COMMUNITY-BASED DOULAS. SUCH
 ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS SHALL MEET PROFESSIONALLY RECOGNIZED TRAINING  STAND-
 ARDS,  COMPLY  WITH  APPLICABLE  STATE LAW AND REGULATIONS, AND SHALL BE
 CAPABLE OF PROVIDING CULTURALLY CONGRUENT CARE.
   2. THE COMMISSIONER IS AUTHORIZED,  WITHIN  AMOUNTS  APPROPRIATED  FOR
 SUCH  PURPOSE,  TO MAKE GRANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBDIVISION. SUCH
 GRANTS MAY BE USED FOR BUT NOT LIMITED TO  THE  ADMINISTRATION,  FACULTY
 RECRUITMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, START-UP COSTS AND OTHER COSTS INCURRED FOR
 PROVIDING   RECRUITMENT,  TRAINING,  CERTIFICATION,  SUPPORTING,  AND/OR
 MENTORING OF COMMUNITY-BASED DOULAS.
   3. THERE SHALL BE AN EMPHASIS  OF  APPROPRIATING  GRANTS  TO  ELIGIBLE
 PROVIDERS  THAT  SPECIFICALLY  TRAIN,  RECRUIT,  AND  EMPLOY DOULAS FROM
 HISTORICALLY VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, BIPOC DOULAS, AND BILINGUAL DOULAS.
 THIS CAN INCLUDE GRANTS FOR DOULA APPRENTICE PROGRAMS.
   4. THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL  CREATE  AND  MAINTAIN  AN  AWARENESS  AND
 OUTREACH  PROGRAM.  THE  AWARENESS  AND OUTREACH PROGRAM SHALL BE ESTAB-
 LISHED FOR THE PURPOSE OF  PROVIDING  EDUCATION  AND  AWARENESS  OF  THE
 AVAILABLE GRANTS AND FUNDS TO ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS IN THE STATE.
   §  2563. REPORT. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE LIST
 OF REPORTING METRICS TO BE INCLUDED IN A REPORT DUE ON DECEMBER  THIRTY-
 FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, TO THE GOVERNOR,
 TO  THE  TEMPORARY  PRESIDENT  OF  THE SENATE, AND TO THE SPEAKER OF THE
 ASSEMBLY. THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE THE COMPREHENSIVE LIST  OF  REPORTING
 METRICS  AND  SHALL  INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF
 GRANTS ISSUED, THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS, AND THE REGION  OF  THE
 STATE WHERE THE ELIGIBLE PROVIDER IS LOCATED.
   § 3. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 99-rr to
 read as follows:
   §  99-RR.  COMMUNITY  DOULA  EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM FUND. 1. THERE IS
 HEREBY ESTABLISHED IN THE JOINT CUSTODY OF  THE  STATE  COMPTROLLER  AND
 COMMISSIONER  OF  TAXATION AND FINANCE A SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE
 "COMMUNITY DOULA EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM FUND".
 S. 7779--B                          3
 
   2. SUCH FUND SHALL CONSIST OF ALL MONIES APPROPRIATED THERETO FROM ANY
 OTHER FUND OR SOURCE PURSUANT TO LAW. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS  SECTION
 SHALL PREVENT THE STATE FROM RECEIVING GRANTS, GIFTS OR BEQUESTS FOR THE
 PURPOSES OF THE FUND AS DEFINED IN THIS SECTION AND DEPOSITING THEM INTO
 THE FUND ACCORDING TO LAW.
   3.  MONIES  SHALL BE PAYABLE FROM THE FUND ON THE AUDIT AND WARRANT OF
 THE COMPTROLLER ON VOUCHERS APPROVED AND CERTIFIED BY  THE  COMMISSIONER
 OF HEALTH.
   4.  THE  MONIES IN SUCH FUND SHALL BE EXPENDED FOR THE COMMUNITY DOULA
 EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  SECTION
 TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW.
   §  4.  This  act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary  for  the  implementation  of
 this  act  on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
 on or before such effective date.

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Senate Bill S7779A

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Feb 5, 2024 - Women's Issues Committee Vote

Women's Issues Committee Vote: Feb 5, 2024

Bill Amendments

2023-S7779 - Details

2023-S7779 - Summary

2023-S7779 - Sponsor Memo

2023-S7779 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2023-S7779A - Details

2023-S7779A - Summary

2023-S7779A - Sponsor Memo

2023-S7779A - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2023-S7779B (ACTIVE) - Details

2023-S7779B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2023-S7779B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2023-S7779B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

Senate Bill S7779A

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Sponsored By

Samra G. Brouk

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Bill Amendments

2023-S7779 - Details

2023-S7779 - Summary

2023-S7779 - Sponsor Memo

2023-S7779 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

Nathalia Fernandez

Robert Jackson

Lea Webb

2023-S7779A - Details

2023-S7779A - Summary

2023-S7779A - Sponsor Memo

2023-S7779A - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

Nathalia Fernandez

Robert Jackson

Lea Webb

2023-S7779B (ACTIVE) - Details

2023-S7779B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2023-S7779B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2023-S7779B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments