House Bill 129 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Marilyn LandsRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Midwives; administration of certain newborn screening tests authorized

Summary

HB129 would authorize licensed midwives to administer newborn screening tests to newborns under Alabama's Newborn Screening Program and establish related disclosure, consent, reporting, and care requirements.

What This Bill Does

HB129 would allow licensed midwives to administer the newborn screening tests themselves, in line with the state's newborn screening program. It requires midwives to provide a disclosure form with details on qualifications, transfer plans, complaint procedures, HIPAA compliance, insurance, and safety references. It also requires informed consent, and expands duties to include ordering certain routine labs for screening, documenting an emergency care plan, staying with the client postpartum until stable, and reporting results and data to public health authorities.

Who It Affects

• Licensed midwives, who would gain authority to administer screening tests and must follow disclosure, consent, reporting, and related requirements.
• Newborns and their families, who would receive screening tests in the midwife care setting, receive required information and instructions, and have results reported to public health.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes licensed midwives to administer newborn screening tests to all neonates in their care under the Newborn Screening Program.
• Requires a midwife disclosure form listing education, training, transfer plans, complaint process, HIPAA compliance, liability insurance, and safety references (including ACOG home birth statements).
• Requires the client to sign an informed consent form provided by the board.
• Allows midwives to order routine antepartum and postpartum laboratory analyses for screening and to order urinalysis or blood glucose tests as indicated.
• Requires an emergency care plan to be documented and available for the client; midwives must monitor labor progress and remain with the client until delivery and postpartum stabilization.
• Requires birth certificate filing, data collection (MONA project), and reporting to the Alabama Department of Public Health as required by law.
• Authorizes midwives to order and administer newborn screening tests in accordance with board rules.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Occupational Licensing Boards