SB414 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

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and regulation, fees, penalties, Secs. 34-19-11 to 34-19-19, inclusive, added; Secs. 34-19-2 to 34-19-10, inclusive, repealed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

SB414 creates a State Board of Midwifery to license and regulate midwives in Alabama, replacing current law, and sets rules, fees, and safety requirements for midwifery practice.

What This Bill Does

The bill establishes a seven-member State Board of Midwifery to license midwives, set fees, and enforce rules, with specific composition including four certified professional midwives, one physician, and two consumer members. It repeals existing midwifery sections and adds new provisions detailing licensing procedures, disciplinary actions, and penalties, including suspensions and fines up to $500 per violation. It requires licensed midwives to provide risk disclosures and obtain informed consent, maintain emergency backup and transport plans, remain with the mother and newborn during and after birth, and file birth certificates, while prohibiting certain medical procedures from midwives. It also creates public record-keeping, audit provisions, and liability protections for other health care providers, with a sunset provision and local-funds considerations under constitutional rules.

Who It Affects

• Licensed midwives or those seeking to become licensed (LMs): must obtain and maintain licensure, follow board rules, and face potential discipline or fines for violations.
• Consumers (pregnant people and families) seeking midwifery services: would receive mandated risk disclosures, informed consent, clear information about the midwife’s qualifications, and required emergency planning and birth-record procedures.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the State Board of Midwifery with seven members appointed by the Governor (four certified midwives, one physician, two consumer representatives) and sets four-year (or longer) terms with staggered initial terms.
• Creates licensure requirements, annual/periodic renewals every 24 months, and a schedule of licensure fees; authorizes investigations, hearings, and disciplinary actions including suspension or revocation of licenses and administrative fines up to $500 per violation.
• Defines prohibited practices for licensed midwives (no epidural/spinal/caudal anesthesia, narcotics, forceps, vacuum, abortion, or cesarean), and requires ongoing compliance with education, ethics, and scope of practice rules.
• Requires informed disclosures to clients, consent forms, detailed information about the midwife’s education and license status, and a written backup/transfer plan for emergencies; mandates birth certification and postnatal duties such as eye prophylaxis and newborn screening guidance.
• Mandates public record-keeping of licensed and suspended licenses, and grants liability protections to physicians and health care institutions for actions of licensed midwives; includes sunset clauses and a constitution-based local-funds exemption.
• Repeals existing midwifery sections (34-19-2 to 34-19-10) and designates midwives as Licensed Midwives (LM) under new sections (34-19-11 to 34-19-19).

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