HB315 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ken Johnson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Midwifery Board, established to license and regulate the practice of midwifery, penalty for unlawful practice, Secs. 34-19-2 to 34-19-10 repealed; Secs. 22-9A-7, 34-19-3, 34-19-11 to 34-19-20, inclusive, 34-43-3 am'd.

Summary

HB315 creates a State Board of Midwifery to license and regulate certified professional midwives, makes lay midwifery a crime, and replaces existing midwifery laws with a new framework.

What This Bill Does

Establishes a seven-member State Board of Midwifery to license midwives, set rules, require insurance, collect data, and enforce penalties. Repeals the old midwifery statutes and adds new definitions, licensing requirements, and practice guidelines for midwives. Bans unlicensed lay midwifery and creates penalties for practicing midwifery without a license. Also updates birth registration processes and related health information requirements, and sets funding and sunset provisions for the board.

Who It Affects

• Licensed midwives (certified professional midwives) who would need to obtain board licensure, maintain liability insurance, follow board rules, and report annual birth data.
• Lay midwives and other unlicensed individuals who would be criminally prohibited from practicing midwifery in the state.

Key Provisions

• Creates the State Board of Midwifery (seven members, appointment process, terms, and authority to license, regulate, and enforce midwifery).
• Designates licensed midwives as Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) and sets education, licensure, renewal, and insurance requirements; restricts a licensed midwife's scope of practice.
• Repeals existing midwifery code sections and amends 34-19-3 to exempt CPMs with current IEC-accredited certification from the crime of practicing midwifery without a license, while making lay midwifery unlawful and establishing penalties for unlicensed practice.
• Imposes annual reporting by licensed midwives (births attended, transfers, maternal/infant outcomes) and makes the data public as allowed by law.
• Requires board funding from its own funds, outlines governance and sunset review, and amends birth registration rules for out-of-hospital births and related health records.

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