The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 26: Professions and Occupations

Chapter 084: Community-Based Perinatal Doulas [Effective July 1, 2026]

• § 4171. Definitions [Effective July 1, 2026]

  As used in this chapter:

  (1) “Certified community-based perinatal doula” means a community-based perinatal doula who holds a certificate issued pursuant to this chapter.

  (2) “Community-based doula” means an individual who provides doula services to under-resourced and marginalized populations at low or no cost, often through a community-based agency.

  (3) “Community-based perinatal doula” means a community-based doula who provides doula services to individuals during the perinatal period.

  (4) “Director” means the Director of the Office of Professional Regulation.

  (5) “Doula” means a nonclinical, nonmedical individual who provides direct emotional and physical support and educational and informational services to birthing individuals before, during, and after labor and childbirth.

  (6) “Perinatal” means the period of time encompassing pregnancy, childbirth, and up to one year postpartum. (Added 2025, No. 50, § 1, eff. July 1, 2026.)

• § 4172. Prohibitions; penalties [Effective July 1, 2026]

  (a) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the provision of doula services by a noncertified individual, provided that no person shall use in connection with the person’s name any letters, words, or insignia indicating or implying that the person is a State certified community-based perinatal doula unless the person is certified in accordance with this chapter.

  (b) A person who violates this section shall be subject to the penalties set forth in 3 V.S.A. § 127(c). (Added 2025, No. 50, § 1, eff. July 1, 2026.)

• § 4173. Duties of the director [Effective July 1, 2026]

  (a) The Director shall:

  (1) provide general information to applicants for certification as certified community-based perinatal doulas;

  (2) receive applicants for certification; grant and renew certifications in accordance with this chapter; and deny, revoke, suspend, reinstate, or condition certifications as directed by an administrative law officer;

  (3) explain appeal procedures to certified community-based perinatal doulas and applicants;

  (4) explain complaint procedures to the public;

  (5) prepare and maintain a registry of certified community-based perinatal doulas;

  (6) administer fees collected in accordance with this chapter and 3 V.S.A. § 125; and

  (7) refer all disciplinary matters to an administrative law officer established under 3 V.S.A. § 129(j).

  (b) The Director, after consultation with the advisor appointees, may adopt rules in accordance with 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 as needed to perform the Director’s duties under this chapter. (Added 2025, No. 50, § 1, eff. July 1, 2026.)

• § 4174. Advisor appointees [Effective July 1, 2026]

  (a) The Secretary of State shall appoint two certified community-based perinatal doulas to serve as advisors in matters relating to community-based perinatal doulas. The advisors shall be appointed as set forth in 3 V.S.A. § 129b and serve at the pleasure of the Secretary. One of the initial appointments may be for less than a full term. Appointees shall not have less than three years’ experience providing community-based perinatal doula services immediately preceding appointment and shall be actively engaged in delivering community-based perinatal doula services in Vermont during incumbency.

  (b) The Director shall seek the advice of the community-based perinatal doula advisors in carrying out the provisions of this chapter. The advisor appointees shall be entitled to per diem compensation and reimbursement of expenses as permitted under 32 V.S.A. § 1010 for attendance at any meeting called by the Director for this purpose. (Added 2025, No. 50, § 1, eff. July 1, 2026.)

• § 4175. Eligibility [Effective July 1, 2026]

  To be eligible for certification as a certified community-based perinatal doula, an applicant shall complete and submit an application in the manner prescribed by the Director by rule, accompanied by the applicable fees, and evidence satisfactory to the Director that the applicant:

  (1) is at least 18 years of age;

  (2) has sufficient and appropriate competencies in community-based perinatal doula services, whether acquired through experience, mentorship, training, formal education, or a combination of these, as determined by the Director by rule; and

  (3) has passed any criminal history background or registry checks required by the Director by rule. (Added 2025, No. 50, § 1, eff. July 1, 2026.)

• § 4176. Certificate renewal [Effective July 1, 2026]

  A community-based perinatal doula certification shall be renewed every two years upon application, payment of the required fee in accordance with 3 V.S.A. § 125, and proof of compliance with any continuing education or demonstrated competency requirements established by rule. (Added 2025, No. 50, § 1, eff. July 1, 2026.)

• § 4177. Unprofessional conduct [Effective July 1, 2026]

  (a) Unprofessional conduct means misusing a title in professional activity and any of the conduct listed in 3 V.S.A. § 129a, whether committed by a certified community-based perinatal doula or an applicant.

  (b) The Office of Professional Regulation may discipline a certified community-based perinatal doula for unprofessional conduct as provided in 3 V.S.A. § 129a. (Added 2025, No. 50, § 1, eff. July 1, 2026.)