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OregonSB 15682026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Relating to perinatal services; and declaring an emergency.

Sponsored By: Courtney Neron Misslin (Democratic), Deb Patterson (Democratic), Dick Anderson (Republican), Lisa Reynolds (Democratic), Travis Nelson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

More doula and lactation help through Medicaid

These rules apply as Oregon coordinated care contracts are entered into, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2028. Medicaid recipients get at least 12 doula visits, 24 hours, or a comparable mix, beyond labor and delivery, regardless of birth outcome. Standard doula care needs no referral, another provider’s signature, or prior approval; extra care based on need may require approval. Lactation counselors need no referral, and plans must explain access online and in print, including printed benefit statements. Oregon must review lactation counselor payment rates every even-numbered year, consider counselor retention, and change rates when needed.

Private plans must cover lactation counselors

Plans covering pregnancy and childbirth must cover lactation counselors when issued, renewed, or extended on or after January 1, 2028. Plans cannot require prior approval, a referral, another provider’s signature, or provider supervision. They must tell members how to find lactation counselors. Usual deductibles, coinsurance, and other standard plan rules can still apply.

Private plans face doula coverage limits

For pregnancy and childbirth plans issued, renewed, or extended on or after January 1, 2028, required doula coverage is capped. The cap is $3,760 per 12-month plan period or calendar year, replacing a minimum reimbursement requirement. It is indexed annually beginning in 2029 using the West Region consumer price index and a 2028 baseline. Covered doulas must be state-certified and registered, and their services must directly relate to medical care the plan covers. State rules must identify excluded services using applicable IRS guidance in place when the law took effect; coverage beyond the cap remains optional.

New standards for doulas and lactation counselors

By January 1, 2028, Oregon must set birth and postpartum doula qualifications that meet coordinated care needs and federal funding rules. These rules cannot require Home Care Commission certification. The Traditional Health Workers Commission must create voluntary lactation counselor registration, continuing education rules, and practice standards. Counselors can serve clients who were pregnant regardless of birth outcome. Beginning January 1, 2028, doulas and lactation counselors must try to provide culturally specific care when practical; lactation educators are excluded. The law also repeals ORS 676.671, but the supplied text does not explain that repeal’s practical effect.

New statewide team coordinates perinatal care improvements

The law creates the Oregon Perinatal Collaborative at Oregon Health and Science University. It coordinates statewide work to improve maternal and infant health care. It also develops related policy recommendations.

Grants support community pregnancy and postpartum care

Oregon’s community perinatal program must award grants or contracts to eligible groups able to carry out program work. Eligible groups include culturally specific organizations, Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes, nonprofits, and businesses. Funds can cover training, trainee wages and benefits, recruitment, services, billing support, mentoring, education, and research, including through partners. Beginning January 1, 2028, the program includes doula and lactation counselor services from conception through one year postpartum. Groups with qualifying lactation counselor or educator grants received before that date can use those funds for lactation counselor purposes starting then; no new grant amount is specified.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Courtney Neron Misslin

    Democratic • Senate

  • Deb Patterson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dick Anderson

    Republican • Senate

  • Lisa Reynolds

    Democratic • Senate

  • Travis Nelson

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Bobby Levy

    Republican • House

  • Dacia Grayber

    Democratic • House

  • Emerson Levy

    Democratic • House

  • Lamar Wise

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Fragala

    Democratic • House

  • Pam Marsh

    Democratic • House

  • Sara Gelser Blouin

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sue Rieke Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Suzanne Weber

    Republican • Senate

  • Thuy Tran

    Democratic • House

  • Willy Chotzen

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 104 • No: 18

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

Senate concurred in House amendments and repassed bill.

Yes: 23 • No: 7

House vote • 3/4/2026

Third reading. Carried by Grayber. Passed.

Yes: 48 • No: 4

House vote • 2/26/2026

Health Care: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/19/2026

Third reading. Carried by Reynolds. Passed.

Yes: 22 • No: 6

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

Early Childhood and Behavioral Health: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments

Yes: 4 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date, March 31, 2026.

    4/6/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 92, 2026 Laws.

    4/6/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/31/2026Senate

  4. Speaker signed.

    3/6/2026House

  5. President signed.

    3/6/2026Senate

  6. Senate concurred in House amendments and repassed bill.

    3/5/2026Senate

  7. Third reading. Carried by Grayber. Passed.

    3/4/2026House

  8. Rules suspended. Carried over to March 4, 2026 Calendar.

    3/3/2026House

  9. Second reading.

    3/2/2026House

  10. Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed B-Engrossed.

    2/27/2026House

  11. Work Session held.

    2/26/2026House

  12. Public Hearing held.

    2/24/2026House

  13. Referred to Health Care.

    2/20/2026House

  14. First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

    2/19/2026House

  15. Third reading. Carried by Reynolds. Passed.

    2/19/2026Senate

  16. Second reading.

    2/18/2026Senate

  17. Recommendation: Do pass with amendments. (Printed A-Eng.)

    2/17/2026Senate

  18. Work Session held.

    2/12/2026Senate

  19. Public Hearing held.

    2/10/2026Senate

  20. Referred to Early Childhood and Behavioral Health.

    2/2/2026Senate

  21. Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.

    2/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • HHC Amendment -A3 (Adopted)

    2/26/2026

    PDF

  • HHC Amendment -A3 (Proposed)

    2/24/2026

    PDF

  • SECBH Amendment -2 (Adopted)

    2/12/2026

    PDF

  • A-Engrossed

    PDF

  • B-Engrossed

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    PDF

  • House Amendments to A-Engrossed

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Senate Amendments to Introduced

    PDF

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