HB284 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ken Johnson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Midwives, State Board of Midwifery, established, licensure and regulation, penalties, Secs. 34-19-11 to 34-19-19, inclusive, added; Secs. 22-9A-7, 34-43-3 am'd; Secs. 34-19-2 to 34-19-10, inclusive, repealed

Summary

HB284 would create a State Board of Midwifery to license and regulate midwives in Alabama, replacing old midwifery statutes and setting new licensing rules, fees, and penalties.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a seven-member State Board of Midwifery to license and oversee midwives, defines licensed midwives and midwifery practice, and sets licensing requirements and fees. It grants the board authority to license, renew, suspend, or revoke licenses, investigate complaints, and impose penalties for violations, while requiring continuing education and public record-keeping. It creates specific rules for practice that emphasize independent midwifery care, informed consent, risk assessment, and emergency planning. It repeals the existing midwifery laws and makes related amendments to birth certificate processes and other health statutes.

Who It Affects

• Prospective and current midwives in Alabama, who would need to meet new licensing requirements, obtain credentials, and adhere to board rules and fees.
• Expectant families and individuals seeking midwifery services, who would be served by licensed midwives, require informed consent, emergency care planning, and postnatal care under regulated standards.

Key Provisions

• Creates the State Board of Midwifery with seven members (four certified professional midwives from NARM, one physician, two individuals who used midwifery services), appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
• Defines Licensed Midwife (LM) and Midwifery, establishing it as primary maternity care and not the practice of medicine; requires board to license and regulate practice.
• Sets licensing requirements for midwives (age 21+, U.S. citizen or legally present, credential from an accredited midwifery program or approved alternate pathway with bridge options). Licenses are valid for 24 months.
• Gives the board power to license, renew, suspend, or revoke licenses; investigate complaints; establish licensure fees; and impose administrative fines up to $1,000 per violation.
• Requires the board to adopt rules on education, scope of practice, risk assessment, internships, liability insurance, and complaint investigations; ensures independent practice without mandatory collaboration with other health professionals.
• Specifies practice standards including informed consent, client setting choices, emergency care plans, ongoing labor support, and postpartal care; requires birth certificates to be filed appropriately.
• Repeals existing midwifery statutes (34-19-2 to 34-19-10) and adds new sections (34-19-11 to 34-19-19); adjusts related birth certificate and massage therapy definitions as referenced in the bill.
• Includes a constitutional note about local funding requirements under Amendment 621, but states the bill is exempt from local funding approval due to defining a new crime or amending the crime definitions.

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