HB601 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joe Hubbard

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Midwives, physiologic childbirth, providing women the right to choose physiologic childbirth, providing immunity to midwives and certain healthcare providers who assist in physiologic childbirths, Sec. 34-19-11 added

Summary

HB601 would give women the right to choose physiologic childbirth outside a hospital and protect midwives and certain health care providers from criminal or civil liability when assisting in such births.

What This Bill Does

The bill defines what physiologic childbirth is and who qualifies as a midwife, and it affirms a woman's autonomy over birth location and caregiver. It allows a woman to direct necessary care if there is no licensed provider present and she assumes responsibility for the outcome. It provides immunity from criminal prosecution for midwives assisting in physiologic childbirth and civil immunity for certain licensed health care providers and health care institutions for acts or omissions related to these births outside a hospital. It also notes that the woman can seek medical care if complications arise and repeals conflicting laws, with the new rules taking effect after a set date.

Who It Affects

• Women who choose physiologic childbirth outside a hospital: gain autonomy over where and with whom they give birth and can direct necessary care, while assuming responsibility for the outcome.
• Midwives and certain health care providers (physicians, nurses, pre-hospital personnel, health care institutions): receive immunities—midwives from criminal prosecution for unlicensed practice when assisting physiologic births; other providers and institutions from civil liability for actions related to these births outside a hospital.

Key Provisions

• Adds 34-19-11 to define midwife and physiologic childbirth and to establish a woman’s right to autonomy in choosing birth location and caregiver.
• Adds protections: midwives assisting physiologic childbirth are immune from criminal prosecution; licensed providers and health care institutions have civil immunity for acts/omissions related to a birth outside a hospital.
• Allows a woman to direct necessary care when there is no licensed provider present and clarifies the woman’s responsibility for outcomes, with ability to seek medical care if complications arise.
• Repeals laws that conflict with this act and states that the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Midwives