HB 601 Summary

• Adds Section 34-19-11 to the Code of Alabama 1975 to define "midwife" as a person holding current midwifery certification from an Institute for Credentialing Excellence-accredited organization who provides support during physiologic childbirth outside a hospital or medical facility.

• Grants women the right to autonomy and self-determination in choosing where and with whom to give birth, and allows women to direct necessary care to herself and her infant when undergoing physiologic childbirth without a licensed health care provider.

• Provides that women choosing physiologic childbirth assume full responsibility for their choice and any outcomes, but may seek medical care if complications arise during labor, birth, or postpartum.

• Grants midwives immunity from criminal prosecution for practicing as an unlicensed health care provider when assisting with physiologic childbirth.

• Provides civil immunity to licensed physicians, nurses, pre-hospital emergency personnel, and health care institutions for any acts or omissions resulting from a woman's decision to have physiologic childbirth outside a hospital or medical facility.