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Bill

HB 1251

Hospitals and Medical Professional Liability Insurers - Obstetric Services Policies (Doula and Birth Policy Transparency Act)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Marlon Amprey and 15 co-sponsors

Maryland law now requires hospitals and insurers to publicly disclose their policies on doula services and birth practices to ensure patient transparency and informed decision-making.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 751
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Bill Summary · HB 1251

Legislative bill overview

HB 1251 requires hospitals and medical professional liability insurers to establish transparent policies regarding doula services and birth practices in obstetric care. The bill mandates disclosure of coverage limitations, restrictions, and procedures related to doula attendance and participation during labor and delivery.

Why is this important

Doulas provide non-medical labor support, but hospital policies on their presence and role vary significantly and are often unclear to patients. This bill aims to ensure pregnant individuals can make informed decisions about birth support options and understand which services their insurers will or won't cover before labor begins.

Potential points of contention

  • Insurance cost implications: Requiring clearer policies on doula coverage could pressure insurers to either expand coverage or explicitly deny it, potentially affecting premium costs
  • Scope of practice concerns: Medical professionals may worry about ambiguous boundaries between doula support and clinical nursing duties, requiring clearer operational guidelines
  • Implementation burden: Hospitals and insurers must develop, document, and regularly update policies, creating administrative costs and compliance requirements

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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