HB462 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Midwives, State Board of Midwifery, established, licensure and regulation, fees, penalties, Secs. 34-19-11 to 34-19-19, inclusive, added; Secs. 34-19-2 to 34-19-10, inclusive, repealed

Summary

HB462 would create a State Board of Midwifery to license and regulate midwives in Alabama, require client information and consent, and repeal the current midwifery statutes.

What This Bill Does

It creates the State Board of Midwifery with seven members (four licensed midwives with NARM credentials, one physician, and two consumer representatives) and sets terms and meeting requirements. It authorizes licensure of midwives, sets licensing fees, and gives the board power to discipline licensees, including suspension or revocation. It defines what licensed midwives may and may not do, and requires midwives to provide clients with information about risks and a consent form, along with emergency planning and birth-record responsibilities. It repeals the old midwifery statutes and notes potential local-funding implications under a constitutional amendment, with specified exceptions.

Who It Affects

• Licensed midwives and people seeking licensure would must meet qualifications, apply for licensure, pay fees, and follow board rules.
• Clients and families using midwifery services would receive risk disclosures, informed consent, emergency/transfer planning, and guidance on birth-record procedures.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the State Board of Midwifery (seven members: four NARM-credentialed licensed midwives nominated by ALMA, one physician, two consumer representatives) with staggered initial terms and specified appointment processes.
• Creates licensure and renewal framework, including a 24-month license term and set application, initial, renewal, and reinstatement fees; licenses must not impede practice.
• Gives the board authority to investigate complaints, hold hearings, and suspend or revoke licenses for misconduct or violations of the chapter; allows administrative fines up to $500 per violation.
• Promulgates rules on licensing procedures, education requirements, scope of practice, complaint investigations, and ethical standards; prohibits licensed midwives from administering epidurals, narcotics, forceps or vacuum, inducing abortion, or performing cesarean sections.
• Requires licensed midwives to disclose education, training, services, grievance process, and professional liability status; mandates informed consent prior to services and detailed client notices for out-of-hospital births.
• Mandates post-birth duties including monitoring labor, remaining with mother and newborn postpartum, giving eye-ointment and newborn screening instructions, and filing birth certificates; keeps a public, up-to-date licensee list with action details.
• Funds collected go to the State Treasury for board expenses; the board is subject to the Sunset Law with a termination date and four-year review cycles; fee refunds are generally not provided.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Midwives