HB284 Summary

• Establishes a State Board of Midwifery with seven members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate to license and regulate the practice of midwifery in Alabama.

• Requires midwife applicants to be at least 21 years old, U.S. citizens or legally present, and hold a certified professional midwife credential from an accredited educational program; licenses valid for 24 months.

• Permits licensed midwives to provide primary maternity care in settings of client choice for low-risk pregnancies and establishes scope of practice including informed consent, emergency planning, laboratory ordering for screening, and birth certificate filing.

• Authorizes the board to establish licensing fees, impose administrative fines up to $1,000 per violation, and suspend or revoke licenses for fraud, unprofessional conduct, felony convictions, or scope of practice violations.

• Makes unlicensed practice of midwifery for compensation a Class C misdemeanor, with exceptions for certified nurse midwives, trainees assisting licensed midwives, and persons providing gratuitous assistance; repeals prior midwifery licensing sections.