Statement of Realignment
As of March 2026, Doulas4CT® is currently undergoing a period of intentional realignment and restabilization. After several years in which the coalition’s activities and direction were not fully aligned with its original purpose, Earth’s Natural Touch: Birth Care & Beyond has claimed control to recommit the coalition to its founding goals of supporting doulas across the state of Connecticut, particularly Black doulas, and improving access to culturally responsive doula care for Black families and other historically marginalized communities.
Goals of Doulas4CT®
The goals of Doulas4CT include:
- Strengthen the doula workforce across Connecticut through collective support, advocacy, and shared resources
- Improve access to doula care for Black families and other underserved communities
- Advocate for policies and systems change that recognize doulas as essential members of the maternal health workforce
- Support Black doulas through leadership opportunities, supporting doulas working to create systemic change and collaborative pathways, and protection against exploitation
- Create spaces for collaboration among doulas, community organizations, healthcare systems, and policymakers
Doulas4CT operates within a coalition model, meaning:
- Decisions are informed by community needs and lived experience
- Participation is flexible and capacity-aware
- Together, we collectively share the workload
The coalition prioritizes sustainable engagement, recognizing that many doulas and advocates are already doing emotionally and physically demanding work. We understand that what we pour into systemic change is what we will get out. We are committed to doing what we can.
Get Involved / Contact Us
“We got work to do!”, SciHonor Devotion
Doulas4CT® is a collaborative coalition made up of doulas, parents, clinicians, community advocates, researchers, and organizational allies who are committed to improving access to culturally responsive doula care in Connecticut.
There are many ways to engage with this work:
- Join the coalition as an active participant, consultant, or advisor
- Lend professional expertise or lived experience
- Share insights about hospital systems, policies, or community needs
- Support advocacy and policy efforts
- Support research, education, and community outreach initiatives
- Support the coalition through funding or partnerships
As Doulas4CT® continues its realignment and rebuilding process, community members are invited to stay connected by completing the Contact Form and/or emailing us at Doulas4CTCoalition@gmail.com. This allows the coalition to share updates, collaboration opportunities, meeting invitations, and engagement opportunities as they emerge. We look forward to connecting and building alongside you.
Laws that Impact Connecticut’s Birthing Families
Maternal and Infant Health Bill
Public Acts 25-38 & 25-7 (HB 7102 & HB 7214)
Signed: June 10, 2025
Became law: Late June / ceremonially July 22, 2025
Effective: Various provisions take effect July 1, 2025 and thereafter
The Black Maternal and Infant Health Caucus in Connecticut has been actively involved in developing and advancing these 2 major pieces of maternal health policy:
An Act Concerning Maternal and Infant Health Care
Public Act 25-38 (HB 7102)
Simplified Summary:
- Requires the Office of Health Strategy to develop a strategic plan to increase birth centers and birthing hospitals in areas with limited access, especially in high-Medicaid regions.
- Directs the Department of Social Services to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for doulas, ensuring fair payment within bundled maternity care.
- Expands the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative to include father engagement in maternal and infant health supports.
- This is one of the most comprehensive maternal health laws Connecticut has passed, explicitly addressing structural access, payment, and support issues.
An Act Protecting Maternal Health
(Public Act 23-147)
Signed: June 26–July 24, 2023
Effective: January 1, 2024, onward
What it does: This law significantly expands structural support for birth centers, doulas, nurse home visiting, and midwifery roles in the state. Connecticut passed a major maternal health package that:
- Creates a licensing category for freestanding birth centers, offering an alternative to hospital birth and increasing options for low-risk pregnancies.
- Requires birth centers to be licensed by the CT Department of Public Health.
- Requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to establish a Doula Advisory Committee and a related Doula Training Program Review Committee. The law also includes a clear statutory definition of “Doula” as a trained, nonmedical professional who provides physical, emotional and informational support, virtually or in person, to a pregnant person and any family or friends supporting such person before, during and after birth.”, and lays the foundation for a voluntary certified doula program.
Under the statute:
- DPH must create a Doula Advisory Committee to advise the Commissioner of Public Health on certification requirements, training standards, access to doula care, and efforts to address disparities.
- The advisory committee includes practicing doulas, community organization representatives, midwifery and obstetric professionals, hospital representation, health equity expertise, and key state agency designees.
- A Doula Training Program Review Committee must continuously review education programs and provide an approved list of training that meets certification standards.
- As of October 1, 2023, a person may only use the title “certified doula” if certified by the state, though non-certified doulas may still practice without using that title..
- Expands universal nurse home visiting programs to support families early in infancy.
- Tasks DPH with establishing a midwifery working group to study potential regulation and expanded roles for community-based midwives.
Lactation Laws in Connecticut
Proposed Lactation Consultant Licensure Efforts in Connecticut
Proposed Lactation Consultant Licensure Efforts in Connecticut Effective July 2026
a) SB 1373 — Licensure of Lactation Consultants (2025)
- Status: Passed Senate but did not become law; expected likely future action for licensure effective July 1, 2026 area (as projected in legislative reporting).
- Simplified Summary: Would establish a state licensing program for “lactation consultants” under the Department of Public Health and protect the use of that professional title; certified lactation counselors, doulas, and midwives could continue providing support under current certifications without using the “lactation consultant” title until licensure.
Laws that Impact Connecticut’s Birthing Families
Midwifery Scope of Practice Review
- In 2023-Current: The next iteration of the Midwifery Scope of Practice Review Committee is the Midwifery Working Group facilitated by the Connecticut Department of Public Health
- 2022: As part of Public Act 22-58, DPH was required to convene a Midwifery Scope of Practice Review Committee to discuss options for regulating homebirth midwives and barriers to community midwifery in Connecticut. While this did not create a licensure category, it has expanded the understanding of community midwifery roles and responsibilities. Our Earth’s Natural Touch: Birth Care & Beyond Founder SciHonor Devotion, CPM, BSM, CLC, is a Tri-chair member of the Midwifery Scope of Practice Review Committee.
Reproductive Freedom Defense Act
(HB 5414 / Public Act 22-19)
Signed: May 5, 2022
Effective: July 1, 2022
What it does: Protects access to reproductive health care services (including abortion) within Connecticut, prevents out-of-state subpoenas related to care lawful in Connecticut, and expands provider types who can perform certain reproductive health services — including nurse midwives. While primarily focused on abortion access, this law impacts overall reproductive and perinatal care rights and protections.
Paid Family and Medical Leave Program (PFMLA)
Signed into law: June 25, 2019
Effective: January 1, 2022
What it does: Connecticut established a paid family and medical leave insurance program that allows workers to take paid time off to care for their own health, a new child, or a sick family member. This includes leave around childbirth and early parenting, which supports postpartum recovery and bonding without financial penalty.
