HB316 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ken Johnson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

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Secs. 34-19-11 to 34-19-19, inclusive, added; Secs. 22-9A-7, 34-43-3 am'd; Secs. 34-19-2 to 34-19-10, inclusive, repealed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

HB316 would create a State Board of Midwifery to license and regulate certified professional midwives in Alabama and update related birth-record and regulatory rules.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a seven-member State Board of Midwifery to oversee licensing and regulation of midwives. It sets licensing requirements, education pathways, fees, and disciplinary rules, and creates specific practice guidelines and penalties for violations. It requires licensed midwives to provide clients with disclosures and informed consent, plus emergency and transfer plans, and it restricts certain high-risk procedures to within the defined scope of midwifery. It repeals the old midwifery laws, updates birth-record procedures, and provides funding and oversight provisions for the new board.

Who It Affects

• Prospective and current midwives who must meet new licensing requirements, follow the board's rules, and renew licenses.
• Pregnant people and families who use midwifery services or interact with birth-record systems, gaining standardized disclosures, informed consent, safety planning, and access to a public licensure list.

Key Provisions

• Creates the State Board of Midwifery with seven governor-appointed members, their terms, meeting requirements, and accountability.
• Defines licensed midwife, sets licensing requirements (age, citizenship/presence, credential), allows a bridge path for older credentials, and sets a 24-month license term; outlines grounds for suspension or revocation.
• Delivers practice standards and prohibited procedures (e.g., no epidural/spinal anesthesia, no narcotics, no forceps/vacuum delivery, no cesarean, no abortion); requires risk assessment, internships, liability insurance considerations, and standardized forms.
• Requires client disclosures and informed consent, emergency care and transfer plans, birth certificate responsibilities, and data reporting to the board; permits public listing of licensed or disciplined individuals.
• Funds the board through license fees and state treasury deposits, with nonrefundable fee rules and audit provisions; establishes enforcement mechanisms and sunset/continuing oversight.
• Repeals existing midwifery sections (34-19-2 to 34-19-10) and adds new sections (34-19-11 to 34-19-19); notes local-funding considerations under Amendment 621 and states the act becomes effective immediately upon passage.

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