AL HB316

Establishes a State Board of Midwifery consisting of 7 members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, including 4 certified professional midwives, 1 licensed physician, 1 certified nurse midwife or registered nurse, and 1 person who has used midwifery services.

Creates licensing requirements for certified professional midwives to practice midwifery, including obtaining a certified professional midwife credential from an accredited program or obtaining a Midwifery Bridge Certificate, with licenses valid for 24 months.

Prohibits unlicensed individuals from practicing midwifery for compensation as a Class C misdemeanor, with exceptions for certified nurse midwives, individuals training under licensed midwives, and those providing gratuitous assistance at childbirth.

Requires licensed midwives to provide clients with disclosure forms, informed consent forms, and emergency care plans, and establishes scope of practice limitations prohibiting epidurals, narcotics, forceps delivery, abortion, cesarean section, delivery of multiple pregnancies, and non-cephalic deliveries.

Amends Section 22-9A-7 to include licensed midwives alongside physicians as persons authorized to file birth certificates for out-of-hospital births, and amends Section 34-43-3 to exclude midwifery from the definition of therapeutic massage.