Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the State Board of Health intends to consider promulgating 12VAC5-403, Certification of Doulas. The purpose of the proposed action is to establish the requirements for (i) use of the title "state-certified doula" and (ii) training and education requirements necessary for certification by the Department of Health as a state-certified doula. The minimum training and education requirements will be based on the core competences for doula certification used by national organizations and community based organizations in Virginia. The proposed action implements the mandate in § 32.1-77.1 of the Code of Virginia enacted by Chapter 724 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly.

The agency does not intend to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: §§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-77.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: October 14, 2020.

Agency Contact: Robin Buskey, Policy Analyst, Office of Family Health Services, Virginia Department of Health, 109 Governor Street, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 863-7253, or email robin.buskey@vdh.virginia.gov.