HB164 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Debbie Wood

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Health care, practice of midwifery, scope of licensed practice further provided for, Sec. 34-19-14 am'd.

Summary

HB164 would allow licensed midwives in Alabama to perform vaginal birth after a cesarean (VBAC) by removing VBAC from the list of prohibited practices, while keeping other scope limits and adding licensing and oversight requirements.

What This Bill Does

The bill removes vaginal birth after cesarean from the set of obstetric procedures that are prohibited outside the licensed midwifery scope, effectively expanding what midwives may do. Other high‑risk procedures would remain prohibited outside the midwifery scope. It creates licensing and regulatory requirements for the Board of Midwifery (licensing, investigations, forms, fines) and sets minimum professional liability insurance ($100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate). It also requires rules on education, risk assessment, professional conduct, complaint investigations, internships, and affirms independent practice; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Licensed midwives, who could expand their scope to include VBAC and must meet education, risk assessment, conduct, and insurance requirements.
• Pregnant people considering VBAC, who would have midwifery options for VBAC under the new scope and related informed consent and risk assessment standards.
• The Alabama Board of Midwifery, which would oversee licensure, discipline, fees, forms, investigations, and rulemaking.

Key Provisions

• Remove vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) from the list of prohibited procedures for licensed midwives.
• Maintain prohibitions on other obstetric procedures outside the midwifery scope (e.g., epidural/spinal anesthesia, narcotics, forceps or vacuum delivery, abortion, cesarean delivery beyond minimal episiotomies, pharmacological induction, and certain anesthetic administrations).
• Authorize the Board of Midwifery to license, renew, suspend, and revoke midwife licenses, investigate complaints, and impose fines up to $1,000 per violation.
• Set minimum professional liability insurance for licensed midwives: at least $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.
• Require rules to implement the chapter, including licensing procedures, education standards, risk assessment standards, professional conduct standards, complaint investigations, and internships, and ensure independent practice.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health Care