HB 2477
AN ACT relating to coverage for doula services under certain group benefit
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Mandates that group health benefit plans for Texas governmental employees and retirees must provide coverage for doula services, which include nonmedical childbirth education, coaching, and emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period. The coverage requirement will apply to plan years starting on or after January 1, 2026, ensuring that government workers and retirees have access to comprehensive doula support without additional out-of-pocket expenses. This legislation aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes by increasing access to professional doula services for government employees and retirees.
Bill Text
relating to coverage for doula services under certain group benefit plans for governmental employees and retirees. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Section 1551.232 to read as follows: Sec. 1551.232. COVERAGE FOR DOULA SERVICES. (a) In this section, "doula services" means nonmedical childbirth education, coaching, and support services, including emotional and physical support provided during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period, or provided intermittently during pregnancy and (b) A health benefit plan provided under the group benefits program must provide coverage for doula services. SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 1575, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Section 1575.175 to read as follows: Sec. 1575.175. COVERAGE FOR DOULA SERVICES. (a) In this section, "doula services" means nonmedical childbirth education, coaching, and support services, including emotional and physical support provided during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period, or provided intermittently during pregnancy and (b) A basic plan provided under the group program must provide coverage for doula services. SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 1579, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Section 1579.113 to read as follows: Sec. 1579.113. COVERAGE FOR DOULA SERVICES. (a) In this section, "doula services" means nonmedical childbirth education, coaching, and support services, including emotional and physical support provided during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period, or provided intermittently during pregnancy and (b) A health coverage plan provided under this chapter must provide coverage for doula services. SECTION 4. Subchapter C, Chapter 1601, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Section 1601.112 to read as follows: Sec. 1601.112. COVERAGE FOR DOULA SERVICES. (a) In this section, "doula services" means nonmedical childbirth education, coaching, and support services, including emotional and physical support provided during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period, or provided intermittently during pregnancy and (b) A health benefit plan provided under this chapter must provide coverage for doula services. SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a plan year that commences on or after January 1, 2026. SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to coverage for doula services under certain group benefit
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