NY A09026

Establishes a Community Doula Expansion Grant Program within the Department of Health to provide funding for recruitment, training, licensing, supporting, and mentoring of community-based doulas.

Defines eligible providers as community-based organizations that recruit, train, license, support, and mentor community-based doulas, requiring compliance with professionally recognized training standards and culturally congruent care practices.

Prioritizes grant appropriations to eligible providers that specifically train, recruit, and employ doulas from historically vulnerable communities, BIPOC doulas, bilingual doulas, and doula apprentice programs.

Requires the commissioner to establish an awareness and outreach program to educate eligible providers about available grants and create annual reports (due December 31st) detailing total grants issued, number of eligible providers, and regional distribution.

Creates a dedicated "Community Doula Expansion Grant Program Fund" under joint custody of the State Comptroller and Commissioner of Taxation and Finance, funded through appropriations and eligible to receive grants, gifts, and bequests.