HB67 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Ball

Republican

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

HB67 would let women choose physiologic childbirth outside of hospitals and provide immunity protections for midwives and certain health care providers who assist.

What This Bill Does

HB67 creates a right for women to choose physiologic childbirth outside a hospital and defines key terms. It allows a woman to direct the necessary care if no licensed provider is present and to take responsibility for the outcomes of her birth choice. It provides criminal immunity for midwives assisting physiologic births and civil immunity for certain health care providers involved in such births, while protecting licensed providers from liability for acts related to these births outside a hospital. The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Women who choose physiologic childbirth outside a hospital: gain autonomy to decide birth location and provider, and may direct care when no licensed provider is present.
• Midwives and certain health care providers involved in physiologic births outside a hospital: receive criminal immunity (for midwives) and civil immunity from liability, with protections for licensed providers relating to these births.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 34-19-11 to define 'midwife' and 'physiologic childbirth'.
• Gives women the right to autonomy in choosing birth location and provider, and allows directing care when no licensed provider is present.
• Provides immunity from criminal prosecution for midwives assisting physiologic births and civil immunity for certain health care providers involved in such births.
• Protects licensed physicians, nurses, pre-hospital emergency personnel, and health care institutions from liability for acts or omissions related to physiologic births outside a hospital; establishes effective date.

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