SB328 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Malika Sanders-Fortier

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Jim McClendon

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

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

Summary

The bill would allow licensed midwives to perform vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) by removing it from the list of prohibited procedures, while keeping other licensing rules in place.

What This Bill Does

It amends the midwifery law to remove VBAC from the prohibited list for licensed midwives. If enacted, midwives could provide VBAC as part of their practice within the scope allowed by the board's rules. The bill also keeps regulation of licensure, discipline, education, risk assessment, and insurance requirements, and sets minimum professional liability insurance and fines for violations.

Who It Affects

• Licensed midwives would be allowed to perform VBAC and must follow board rules and maintain insurance.
• Pregnant individuals seeking or considering VBAC could access VBAC services through licensed midwives.
• The Alabama Board of Midwifery would regulate licensure, discipline, rules, and standards for midwifery practice.
• Midwives' professional liability insurance providers would be affected by the required minimum coverage.

Key Provisions

• Amends §34-19-14 to remove vaginal birth after cesarean from the list of procedures outside the scope of licensed midwifery.
• Keeps other obstetric prohibitions (e.g., epidural anesthesia, narcotics, forceps/vacuum delivery, abortion, cesarean delivery, pharmacological induction/augmentation, general anesthesia, and certain medications) as outside the midwifery scope.
• Requires the Board to adopt rules for licensure procedures, education, risk assessment, professional conduct, complaint investigations, clinical internships, and independent practice.
• Establishes minimum professional liability insurance for licensed midwives: $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate, and authorizes fines up to $1,000 per violation.

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