Bill Text: NJ S4119 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Requires certain health care facilities to develop certain doula policies and procedures.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-01-16 - Approved P.L.2023, c.286. [S4119 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-S4119-Amended.html
[Second Reprint]
SENATE, No. 4119
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
220th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED NOVEMBER 30, 2023
Sponsored by:
Senator M. TERESA RUIZ
District 29 (Essex)
Senator NELLIE POU
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex)
Assemblywoman SHAVONDA E. SUMTER
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Burgess, Assemblywomen Lampitt, Pintor Marin, Mosquera and Swain
SYNOPSIS
Requires certain health care facilities to develop certain doula policies and procedures.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As amended by the General Assembly on January 8, 2024.
An Act concerning doulas and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this section:
1["Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Health.]1 2"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Health.2
"Birthing center" means a birthing center licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.).
2[1"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Health.1]2
"Doula" means a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a mother before, during, and after labor and childbirth, to help her to achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.
"Hospital" means 1[a] every general or special1 hospital licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.) that provides maternity services.
2[ 1"Reproductive health service provider" means a hospital, clinic, physician's office, or other facility that provides reproductive health services, including an employee, a volunteer, or a contractor of the provider.
"Reproductive health services" means medical, surgical, counseling, or referral services relating to the human reproductive system, including services relating to pregnancy or the termination of a pregnancy.
"WIC" means the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, established pursuant to the federal "Child Nutrition Act of 1966," Pub.L.89-642 (42 U.S.C. s.1771 et seq.).1]2
b. Each hospital and birthing center shall, commencing no later than the 180th day after the effective date of this act, adopt and maintain written policies and procedures authorizing a patient to select a doula of the patient's choice to accompany the patient within the facility's premises for the purposes of providing support before, during, and after labor and childbirth.
c. Each hospital and birthing center shall provide a written copy of the policies and procedures adopted pursuant to subsection b. of this section to:
(1) each health care provider providing maternity services at the facility;
(2) each patient receiving maternity services at the facility; 2[1[and]1] and2
(3) any other person, at the request of the patient 2[1;
(4) nearby reproductive health service providers, including, but not limited to, Planned Parenthood health clinics; and
(5) nearby local WIC agencies and clinic offices1]2 .
d. Each hospital and birthing center shall post a 1[notice] summary1 of the facility's policies and procedures adopted pursuant to subsection b. of this section 1[in a conspicuous place:
(1) in the room of any patient admitted to the facility for maternity services; and
(2)]1 on the facility's Internet website 2[1. The hospital or birthing center shall make the summary available in the 10 languages most commonly spoken in New Jersey, and, at the discretion of the commissioner, in such additional languages as the commissioner deems appropriate1]2 .
e. Each hospital and birthing center shall designate a staff member to serve as a liaison between the facility and doulas and doula organizations in order to provide information concerning the facility's policies and procedures adopted pursuant to subsection b. of this section.
2. The Commissioner of Health may adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L. 1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) as the commissioner deems necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
