On June 10, 2025, Governor Lamont signed House Bill 7214, An Act Concerning Maternal Health, into law in Connecticut. Maternal health and disparities of access, care, and outcomes remain a pressing concern in Connecticut—especially among Black, Hispanic, and low-income mothers in the state.
This legislation includes three pivotal components aimed at strengthening maternal care and building supports for families and communities across Connecticut:
1. Perinatal Mental Health Task Force
Mental health during and after pregnancy is frequently overlooked. The legislation establishes a task force dedicated to studying and improving mental health care for new and expecting parents during the perinatal period.
2. Maternity Care Report Card
By implementing a state-run report card, HB 7214 aims to empower families with information about hospital and birthing center performance. This transparency can drive improvements in care consistency, equity, and outcomes.
3. Advisory Committee for Doula-Friendly Practices
Recognizing the supportive role of doulas, the legislation calls for an advisory committee convened by the Commissioner of Public Health to explore and recommend how hospitals can best integrate and support doula services to enhance respectful, person-centered care during childbirth and enrich birthing experiences.
Elevate’s Executive Director testified in support of HB 7214 and the entire Elevate team looks forward to the next steps towards ensuring that all mothers, especially those from historically underserved communities, receive the compassionate care and support they deserve.
The Elevate Policy Lab, based in Yale School of Medicine’s Child Study Center, develops, tests and scales strategies to support the mental health needs of overburdened, underresourced mothers