TRENTON, NJ — The Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee has moved forward with a bill aimed at enhancing maternal health care in New Jersey.
The legislation, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz and Senator Nellie Pou, mandates birthing centers and hospitals providing maternity services to allow patients the option to choose a doula for support before, during, and after childbirth.
Majority Leader Ruiz (D-Essex) emphasized the importance of improving maternal health care quality in New Jersey. She highlighted the critical role of doulas in providing dedicated support to mothers and babies. The bill, S-4119, requires maternity service providers to adopt policies supporting a patient’s choice of a doula and mandates that written copies of these policies be provided to patients, maternity service providers, and any other person upon the patient’s request.
This legislative effort is part of a broader commitment by the Administration and Legislature to improve maternal health outcomes across the state.