Louisiana Doula Registry Board; purpose; composition; duties of the board; administrative staff; rulemaking authority
La. R.S. 22:1059.1
in effect22:1059.1. Louisiana Doula Registry Board; purpose; composition; duties of the board; administrative staff; rulemaking authority
A.(1)(a) The legislature hereby creates within the Louisiana Department of Health the Louisiana Doula Registry Board, hereafter referred to in this Section as the "doula registry board", for the purpose of reviewing and approving doula registration to allow for health insurance reimbursement of doula services.
(b) In consultation with the Louisiana Department of Health, the doula registry board shall establish the criteria for the registration application, implement guidelines for the registration process, review submitted doula registration applications, and grant registration status to doulas seeking health insurance reimbursement to promote safe and equitable care for every mother and every birth in this state.
(2) For purposes of this Section, "doula" means 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.
B. The doula registry board shall perform all of the following tasks, subject to promulgated rules and established guidelines:
(1) Review applications for doulas to register to receive health insurance reimbursement in Louisiana.
(2) Approve applications to designate registered doula status.
(3) Notify applicants of approval or denial of doula registration status.
(4) Maintain a statewide registry of doulas approved for health insurance reimbursement in Louisiana.
C.(1) The doula registry board shall be composed of the following fourteen members:
(a) Nine individuals who serve as a doula from all nine of Louisiana's geographic regions or a designee appointed by the medical director of the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative or his designee.
(b) One woman with lived experience of birth under doula care in this state appointed by the medical director of Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative, or his designee.
(c) One doula with lactation training appointed by the medical director of Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative or his designee.
(d) One representative from Sista Midwife Productions.
(e) One representative from Birthmark Doula Collective.
(f) One representative from H.E.R. Institute.
(2) Members of the doula registry board shall be appointed by the medical director of the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative or a designee.
(3) The doula registry board shall elect from among its members a practicing doula as chairperson. In addition, the doula registry board may designate any other officers it deems necessary from its membership.
(4) Members of the doula registry board shall serve for a term of two years with the option for reappointment. Members of the doula registry board shall receive no salary for their services but may be reimbursed for travel approved by the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health in accordance with travel regulations of the division of administration.
(5) The doula registry board shall hold quarterly public meetings unless otherwise provided by vote of the doula registry board or by order of the chairperson. The chairperson shall dismiss from the board any members who are absent from more than three in-person meetings within a calendar year.
(6) The doula registry board may establish subcommittees and appoint persons to those subcommittees, including persons who are not board members, nor voting members, as it deems necessary and appropriate to accomplish its goals.
D. Members of the nonvoting subcommittee shall include and are not limited to all of the following:
(1) One representative of New Orleans Breastfeeding Center.
(2) One representative of March of Dimes.
(3) One representative of National Birth Equity Collaborative.
(4) One representative of Institute of Women & Ethnic Studies.
(5) One obstetrician with demonstrated work rooted in community, health equity, and training in equitable practices.
(6) One certified professional midwife.
(7) One certified nurse midwife.
(8) One community nurse practitioner.
(9) One representative from Louisiana Medicaid.
(10) One representative from Louisiana Hospital Association.
(11) One representative from each private health insurer in Louisiana as determined by the doula registry board.
(12) The assistant secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, office of public health or his designee.
E. The Louisiana Department of Health, hereafter referred to in this Section as the "department", shall promulgate and adopt all such rules in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act as are necessary to implement the provisions of this Section.
F. The department shall provide administrative staff to support the doula registry board. Assigned staff shall be responsible for the following:
(1) Facilitate the process for registration of doulas per promulgated rules and established guidelines.
(2) Provide logistical support in processing applications.
(3) Issue notifications of approval or denial of doula registration status upon decision by the doula registry board in accordance with promulgated rules and established guidelines.
G. Nothing in this Section prohibits any person from practicing as a doula in this state, regardless of whether such person is registered in accordance with the provisions of this Section.
Acts 2021, No. 182, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2022; Acts 2025, No. 287, §1.
Source: Louisiana State Legislature (legis.la.gov)URL: https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=1240072Fetched: 10/20/2026