House Children and Youth Committee designates April 11 as Black Doula Day

The House Children and Youth Committee on an unspecified date voted to report House Resolution 149, designating April 11, 2025, as Black Doula Day in Pennsylvania to recognize the role of Black doulas in maternal and newborn care. The committee rejected a motion to re-refer the resolution to the House Health Committee, 14-12, then adopted the resolution and reported it from committee, 15-12.

House Resolution 149, sponsored by Representative Summer L. Curry, “designates 04/11/2025 as Black Doula Day in Pennsylvania to acknowledge the work of black doulas to improve the physiological, social, emotional, and psychological health of women, newborns, and families during pregnancy, birth, and in the postpartum period,” Danielle, a committee staff member, told the panel during her summary of the measure. She also reported that the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives support the resolution and that there was “no known opposition.”

Representative Curry, the sponsor, told the committee the designation is timed to Black Maternal Health Week and said the recognition is “an important and long overdue recognition” that “serves to honor the crucial role of black doulas play in improving maternal health outcomes.” Curry cited workforce and outcome disparities: she said Black doulas represent “only roughly 10% of the total doula workforce” and that “in Allegheny County, Black women experience pregnancy related deaths at 3 times the rate of white women,” attributing those points to the need for culturally competent, community-based support.

Representative Klunk moved that HR 149 be reported from committee with a recommendation to re‑refer the resolution to the House Health Committee, arguing the measure “deals with health care issues” and should be considered in the Health Committee’s meeting. Chair McNeil urged members to vote no on the referral motion. The re‑referral motion failed, 14-12. Following that vote, Representative Serrato moved adoption of the resolution; Representative Nelson seconded. The committee then adopted HR 149 by recorded vote, 15-12, and reported it from the House Children and Youth Committee.

The committee record lists supporting organizations as reported by staff; no formal opposition was entered during the committee proceedings. No further committee direction, amendments, or implementation tasks were recorded in the transcript of the meeting.