FL S1456

Establishes the Doula Workforce Development Support Program within the Department of Commerce to provide grants and technical assistance to organizations that train, mentor, and deploy doulas across Florida

Prioritizes funding for high-need regions including urban counties with high maternal morbidity disparities, rural areas lacking obstetric providers, and communities affected by hospital closures or maternity service reductions

Authorizes grant funds for training program expansion, instructor compensation, curriculum development, business development training for doulas, stipends for newly trained doulas, and partnerships with hospitals and Medicaid managed care plans

Appropriates $7.5 million in nonrecurring General Revenue funds for fiscal year 2026-2027, with up to $500,000 allocated for administrative expenses and the remainder distributed as grants to eligible doula training entities

Requires the Department of Commerce to submit annual reports by December 1 detailing grant recipients, number of doulas trained, geographic distribution of activities, and workforce outcomes