NYC Council Introduction 1285

intro.nyc/1285-2025 2024-2025 Legislative Session
Requiring the department of health and mental hygiene to establish a program to train individuals to become doulas and provide doula services.
Status: Committee Committee on Women and Gender Equity
Sponsored by Jennifer Gutiérrez
Introduced: May 28, 2025

This bill would require the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene to establish a program to provide free doula services to people in marginalized neighborhoods in all five boroughs and to train individuals to become doulas. The program would train doulas in birth equity, trauma-informed care, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, navigating the hospital environment and support services available to low-income birthing people and their families. The bill would also require the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene to submit a report to the Mayor and Speaker of the Council on the services provided by the program and an analysis on the use and effectiveness of the program.