SB314 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul Bussman

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Bill Holtzclaw

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Midwives, State Board of Midwifery, established, licensure and regulation, penalties, Secs. 34-19-11 to 34-19-19, inclusive, added; Sec. 22-9A-7 am'd; Secs. 34-19-2 to 34-19-10, inclusive, repealed

Summary

SB314 would create a State Board of Midwifery to license and regulate midwives, require informed consent, and update birth certificate filing in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

The bill establishes a seven-member State Board of Midwifery to license practitioners and enforce rules, including setting licensing fees and continuing education. It defines what qualifies as midwifery, limits certain high-risk procedures, requires informed consent and birth certificate filing, and provides penalties for violations. It repeals existing midwifery statutes and adds birth certificate filing changes; the board is subject to sunset review and would terminate unless renewed. It also clarifies that only licensed midwives may practice for compensation and grants liability protections to physicians and other health professionals for acts by licensed midwives.

Who It Affects

• Prospective and current midwives would need to obtain CPM/NARM credentials or meet equivalent education requirements, pay licensing fees, and be licensed by the new board; they could be investigated, disciplined, or fined for violations.
• Expectant families and the general public would be affected by required informed consent disclosures from licensed midwives and the requirement that birth certificates be filed for every birth, with public access to licensure information.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the State Board of Midwifery (seven members: four CPM/NARM credentialed midwives, one physician, two consumer representatives) and sets terms, meeting requirements, and leadership rules.
• Creates licensure for midwives with a 24-month license term, outlines eligibility (age, US citizenship or lawful presence, education/credential requirements), and allows exemptions for pre-existing CPMs.
• Defines scope of practice to exclude certain procedures (epidural/spinal anesthesia, narcotics, forceps/vacuum, abortion, cesarean) and ensures independent practice without mandatory collaboration.
• Requires informed consent disclosure to clients before services, including education/training details and liability information, and requires documentation of an emergency care plan and birth-related instructions.
• Requires licensed midwives to file birth certificates for each birth and align with birth-record rules (amends Section 22-9A-7 and repeals 34-19-2 to 34-19-10).
• Imposes disciplinary authority and penalties (suspension, revocation, or fines up to $500 per rule violation) and maintains a public, up-to-date lis t of licensed and barred practitioners.
• Provides for continuing education credits and programs to keep midwives current with best practices and evidence-based care.
• No liability imposed on physicians or health care institutions for acts performed by licensed midwives; designation of licensed midwives (LM) is established.
• Board and act are subject to the Alabama Sunset Law, with a termination date of October 1, 2016 and every four years thereafter unless continued; local funding implications are noted but treated as exempt under specified constitutional exceptions.

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