HB284 By Representatives Johnson (K), Ball, Pettus and McCutcheon RFD Health Rd 1 23-FEB-16

SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, certified nurse midwives are licensed by the State Board of Nursing and the Board of Medical Examiners to practice nurse midwifery.

This bill would establish a State Board of Midwifery to license and regulate the practice of midwifery.

This bill would: provide for the composition of the board members and function of the board; specify requirements for the licensing of midwives; provide for licensing fees; and establish guidelines for the practice of midwifery.

This bill also would provide for penalties for violations.

Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose.

The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. However, the bill does not require approval of a local governmental entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective because it comes within one of the specified exceptions contained in the amendment.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

Licensing the practice of midwifery by adding Sections 34-19-11 to 34-19-19, inclusive, to the Code of Alabama 1975; to establish a State Board of Midwifery to license and regulate the practice of midwifery; to provide for the composition of the board members and function of the board; to specify requirements for the licensing of midwives and provide for licensing fees; to establish guidelines for the practice of midwifery; to provide for penalties for violations; to amend Section 22-9A-7, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to registration of births; to amend Section 34-43-3, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the definition of therapeutic massage; to repeal Sections 34-19-2 through 34-19-10, inclusive, Code of Alabama 1975; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:

Section 1. Sections 34-19-11 to 34-19-19, inclusive, are added to the Code of Alabama 1975, to read as follows:

§34-19-11.

The following words and phrases shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) BOARD. The State Board of Midwifery.

(2) LICENSED MIDWIFE. An independent practitioner who is licensed by the board to practice midwifery.

(3) MIDWIFERY. The provision of primary maternity care that is consistent with a licensed midwife's training, education, and experience to women and their newborn children throughout the childbearing cycle, in circumstances under which a licensed midwife has determined that the client is at a low risk of developing complications. Midwifery is not the practice of medicine.

§34-19-12.

(a) There is created and established a State Board of Midwifery to implement and administer this chapter.

(b) The board shall consist of seven members appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate, from a list of qualified individuals nominated by the designated organization. Each list shall contain the names of at least two individuals for each position to be filled.

(c) The members of the board shall be appointed for staggered initial terms and subsequent terms shall be for a minimum of four years or until his or her successor has been appointed and qualified.

(d) The board shall meet at least twice each year, conducting its business in person or by electronic methods, including proxy voting.

(e) The board shall elect one of its members to serve as chair for a two-year term. The chair may not serve consecutive terms.

(f) The composition of the board shall be as follows:

(1) Four members shall hold a valid certified professional midwife credential from the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). These members shall be appointed from a list of names submitted by the Alabama Midwives Alliance (ALMA). Two of these members shall be appointed to initial terms of four years, one to a term of three years, and one to a term of two years.

(2) One member shall be a physician. This member shall be appointed from a list of names submitted by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama. This member shall be appointed to an initial term of three years.

(3) Two members shall have used midwifery services in the state. These members shall be appointed from a list of names submitted by the Alabama Birth Coalition. One of these members shall be appointed to an initial term of two years and one to an initial term of one year.

(g) All members of the board shall be immune from individual civil liability while acting within the scope of their duties as board members.

(h) Vacancies shall be filled by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate in the same manner as other appointments are made. In the case of a vacancy, the new appointee shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(i) Members of the board shall serve without compensation but shall be allowed travel and per diem expenses at the same rate paid to state employees, to be paid from the funds collected for the administration of this chapter, as funds are available.

(j) The board may employ, subject to the State Merit System, investigators, inspectors, attorneys, and any other agents, employees, and assistants as may from time to time be necessary, and may use any other means necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

(k) The board shall be subject to the Alabama Sunset Law, Chapter 20, Title 41, as an enumerated agency as provided in Section 41-20-3, and shall have a termination date of October 1, 2020, and every four years thereafter, unless continued pursuant to the Alabama Sunset Law.

§34-19-13.

All funds received by the board under this chapter shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the State Board of Midwifery and all such funds are to be appropriated to the board to defray the expenses incurred in carrying out this chapter. The expenses shall include printing, stamps, stationery, clerical help, travel, and other necessary expenditures. In all cases, any fee that is received by the board shall not be refunded, and no applicant shall have the right to recover any part of a fee accompanying his or her application for licensure or otherwise paid to the board except on the death, disability, or retirement from practice of any applicant or licensee between payment of any fee and the expiration of his or her current renewal or the issuance of the initial license. The books and records of the board shall be subject to audit in the same manner and to the same extent as any other state agency. The board shall keep a true and accurate account of all funds received by the board and all expenditures made by the board.

§34-19-14.

The board shall have the authority to do all of the following consistent with this chapter:

(1) Approve, renew, suspend, or revoke licenses for the practice of midwifery.

(2) Investigate and conduct hearings regarding complaints against a licensed midwife in order to determine if disciplinary action is warranted.

(3) Establish reasonable licensure fees, including, but not limited to, initial application, renewal, and reinstatement fees, set in a manner and at a financial level that does not effectively prohibit or deter the practice of midwifery.

(4) Impose administrative fines, not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation, for violating this chapter, a board rule, or a condition of a license.

(b) The board shall adopt rules to carry out this chapter in a manner consistent with the most current North American Registry of Midwives Job Analysis and with essential documents developed and published by the Midwives Alliance of North America. The rules shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1) Licensing procedures and requirements.

(2) Minimum initial and continuing education requirements for licensure.

(3) The allowable scope of midwifery practice regarding use of equipment, procedures, and administration of medication necessary for the safe practice of midwifery.

(4) Standards by which a midwife shall conduct risk assessment.

(5) A standard procedure for investigating complaints.

(6) Requirements for clinical internships for individuals seeking midwifery training.

(7) Standards regarding professional liability insurance.

(c) The rules shall ensure independent practice and shall not require any agreement, written or otherwise, with any other health care professional or facility.

(d) The rules shall not require a woman who is seeking midwifery services to be assessed or examined or otherwise approved for midwifery care by another health care professional.

§34-19-15.

(a) An individual desiring to be licensed as a midwife shall apply to the board on forms provided by the board. Applicants for licensure shall submit evidence satisfactory to the board that he or she has met all of the following requirements:

(1) Is at least 21 years of age.

(2) Is a citizen of the United States or, if not a citizen of the United States, is legally present in the United States with appropriate documentation from the federal government.

(3) Has obtained a certified professional midwife credential through an education program or pathway accredited by the Midwifery Educational Accreditation Council or by another accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (3) of subsection (a), the board may license the following:

(1) An applicant who has obtained a certified professional midwife credential prior to January 1, 2020, through a non-accreditied pathway, provided the applicant obtains the Midwifery Bridge Certificate or completes an educational program or pathway accredited by the Midwifery Educational Accreditation Council or by another accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

(2) An applicant who has maintained licensure in a state that does not require an accredited education, provided the applicant obtains the Midwifery Bridge Certificate or completes an educational program or pathway accredited by the Midwifery Educational Accreditation Council or by another accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

(c) Licenses shall be valid for a period of 24 months.

(d) Following the contested case provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, the board may suspend or revoke a license, or it may refuse to grant a license to an applicant for licensure, if the licensee or applicant:

(1) Has obtained a license by means of fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts, including making a false statement on an application or any other document required by the board for licensure.

(2) Has engaged in unprofessional conduct that endangered or was likely to endanger the health, safety, and welfare of a client.

(3) Has been convicted of a felony or any crime arising out of or connected with the practice of midwifery.

(4) Has performed an act that exceeds the scope of practice granted to the licensed midwife.

(5) Has had his or her license revoked, suspended, or denied in any other territory or jurisdiction of the United States for any act described in this subsection.

(e) The board shall maintain an up-to-date list of every individual licensed to practice midwifery pursuant to this chapter and individuals whose licenses have been suspended, revoked, or denied. The information on the list shall be available for public inspection during reasonable business hours and the information may be shared with others as deemed necessary and acceptable by the board. The list shall include the name of the individual, the date and the cause of action, the penalty incurred, and the length of the penalty.

(f) The board shall grant continuing education credit for available educational opportunities, or make available quality continuing education programs, seminars, and workshops to acquaint and educate licensed midwives in the most current evidence-based practices with respect to midwifery, women's health, or the evaluation and care of the newborn.

§34-19-16.

(a) A licensed midwife may provide midwifery care in the setting of the client's choice.

(b) A licensed midwife shall ensure that the client has signed an informed consent form. This form shall include information to inform the client of the qualifications of the licensed midwife.

(c) For screening purposes only, a licensed midwife may order routine antepartum and postpartum laboratory analyses to be performed by a licensed laboratory.

(d) After a client has secured the services of a licensed midwife, a licensed midwife shall document an emergency care plan particular to each client, which shall include referral and transfer plans in the event of an emergency.

(e) A licensed midwife shall determine the progress of labor and, when birth is imminent, shall be available until delivery is accomplished.

(f) A licensed midwife shall remain with the client during the postpartal period until the conditions of the client and newborn are stabilized.

(g) A licensed midwife shall instruct the client regarding the requirements of the administration of eye ointment ordered by the Department of Public Health pursuant to Section 22-20-2.

(h) A licensed midwife shall instruct the client regarding the requirements of administration of newborn health screening ordered by the Department of Public Health pursuant to Section 22-20-3.

(i) A licensed midwife shall file a birth certificate for each birth in accordance with the requirements of Section 22-9A-7.

§34-19-17.

(a) Except as provided in this section, it shall be unlawful for an individual other than a licensed midwife to practice midwifery in this state for economic remuneration or to hold himself or herself out to be a licensed midwife unless he or she is a licensed midwife as defined in this chapter. An individual violating this section shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.

(b) An individual does not violate subsection (a) in any of the following circumstances:

(1) The individual is a certified nurse midwife acting in accordance with Sections 34-21-80 to 34-21-93, inclusive.

(2) The individual is training under a licensed midwife and is assisting the licensed midwife in the practice of midwifery.

(3) The individual is providing gratuitous assistance at childbirth.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to repeal, abridge, or modify Section 6-5-332, or any other Good Samaritan statute.

§34-19-18.

(a) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to establish a standard of care for physicians or otherwise modify, amend, or supersede any provision of the Alabama Medical Liability Act of 1987 or the Alabama Medical Liability Act of 1996, commencing with Section 6-5-540, et seq., or any amendment thereto, or any judicial interpretation thereof.

(b) The decisions, opinions, actions, and proceedings discussed, rendered, entered, or acted upon in good faith and without malice and on the basis of facts reasonably known or reasonably believed to exist of any peer review or North American Registry of Midwives Disciplinary Process shall be privileged and confidential, and no member thereof shall be liable for the decision, opinion, action, or proceeding.

§34-19-19.

Individuals licensed as midwives as set forth in this chapter shall be designated Licensed Midwives (LM).Section 2. Sections 22-9A-7 and 34-43-3, Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows:

§22-9A-7.

"(a) A certificate of birth for each live birth which that occurs in this state shall be filed with the Office of Vital Statistics, or as otherwise directed by the State Registrar, within five days after the birth and shall be registered if it has been completed and filed in accordance with this section.

"(b)(1) When a birth occurs in an institution or en route to the institution, the person in charge of the institution or his or her designated representative shall obtain the personal data, prepare the certificate, secure the signatures required, and file the certificate as directed in subsection (a) or as directed by the State Registrar within the required five days. The physician or other person in attendance shall provide the medical information required by the certificate and certify to the facts of birth within 72 hours after the birth. If the physician, or other person in attendance, does not certify to the facts of birth within the 72-hour period, the person in charge of the institution or his or her designee shall complete and sign the certificate.

"(2) In all cases where a birth occurs in an institution, the person in charge of the institution shall provide a procedure for collection of the normal fee for a certified copy of the birth certificate from the mother or father. The fee shall be forwarded to the State Registrar when a complete record of the birth is obtained, and the State Registrar shall issue a certified copy of the birth certificate to the mother or father of the child. The issuance of a certified copy of the birth certificate by the State Registrar shall not apply to births where the death of the infant occurred a short time following the birth, unless the certificate is requested by the father or mother, or where adoption is indicated.

"(c) When a birth occurs outside an institution, the certificate shall be prepared and filed by one of the following in the indicated order of priority:

"(1) The physician or licensed midwife in attendance at the birth or who sees the child within three days after the birth.

"(2) Any other person in attendance at or immediately after the birth.

"(3) The father, the mother, or in the absence of the father and the inability of the mother, the person in charge of the premises where the birth occurred.

"(d) When a birth occurs in a moving conveyance within the United States and the child is first removed from the conveyance in this state, the birth shall be registered in this state and the place where it is first removed shall be considered the place of birth. When a birth occurs on a moving conveyance while in international waters or air space or in a foreign country or its air space and the child is first removed from the conveyance in this state, the birth shall be registered in this state, but the certificate shall show the actual place of birth as can be determined.

"(e) For the purposes of birth registration, the mother is deemed to be the woman who gives birth to the child, unless otherwise determined by law.

"(f)(1) If the mother was married at the time of either conception or birth, or between conception and birth, the name of the husband shall be entered on the certificate as the father of the child, unless it is established by law that he is not the father of the child.

"(2) If the mother was not married at the time of either conception or birth or between conception and birth, the name of the father shall not be entered on the certificate unless paternity has been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or unless the legitimation process specified in Sections 26-11-1 through 26-11-3, inclusive, or otherwise provided by law has been completed.

"(3) If the father is not named on the certificate of birth, no other information about the father shall be entered on the certificate.

"(g) The birth certificate of a child born to a married woman as a result of artificial insemination, with consent of her husband, shall be completed in accordance with subdivision (1) of subsection (f).

"(h) Either of the parents of the child shall attest to the accuracy of the personal data entered on the certificate in time to permit the filing of the certificate within the five days prescribed in subsection (a).

§34-43-3.

"For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

"(1) ADVERTISE. Distributing a card, flier, sign, or device to any person or organization, or allowing any sign or marking on any building, radio, television, or by advertising by any other means designed to attract public attention.

"(2) BOARD. The Alabama Board of Massage Therapy created pursuant to this chapter.

"(3) BOARD-APPROVED MASSAGE THERAPY SCHOOL. A school where massage therapy is taught which is one of the following:

"a. If located in Alabama is approved by the board as meeting the minimum established standards of training and curriculum as determined by the board.

"b. If located outside of Alabama is recognized by the board and by a regionally recognized professional accrediting body.

"c. Is a postgraduate training institute accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Massage Therapy.

"(4) ESTABLISHMENT. A site, premises, or business where massage therapy is practiced by a licensed massage therapist.

"(5) EXAMINATION. A National Certification For Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Examination administered by an independent agency or another nationally or internationally accredited exam administered by an independent agency per approval of the board. The examination will be accredited by the National Committee for Certifying Agencies. The board retains the right to administer a written, oral, or practical examination.

"(6) LICENSE. The credential issued by the board which allows the licensee to engage in the safe and ethical practice of massage therapy.

"(7) MASSAGE THERAPIST. A person licensed pursuant to this chapter who practices or administers massage therapy or touch therapy modalities to a patron for compensation.

"(8) MASSAGE THERAPY INSTRUCTOR. A licensed massage therapist approved by the board to teach the practice of massage therapy.

"(9) PERSON. Any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, organization, association, or other legal entity.

"(10) SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESS. A sex parlor, massage parlor, nude studio, modeling studio, love parlor, adult bookstore, adult movie theater, adult video arcade, adult motel, or other commercial enterprise which has as its primary business the offering for sale, rent, or exhibit, or the exhibit of, items or services intended to provide sexual stimulation or sexual gratification to the customer.

"(11) STUDENT OF MASSAGE THERAPY. Any person currently enrolled in an Alabama massage therapy school program approved by the board.

"(12) TEMPORARY PERMIT. A temporary permit issued at the request of a massage therapist who is qualified according to the Alabama massage therapy law prior to approval by the board and not to exceed six months.

"(13) THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE AND RELATED TOUCH THERAPY MODALITIES. The mobilization of the soft tissue which may include skin, fascia, tendons, ligaments, and muscles, for the purpose of establishing and maintaining good physical condition. The term shall include effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, compression, vibration, stretching, heliotherapy, superficial hot and cold applications, topical applications, or other therapy which involves movement either by hand, forearm, elbow, or foot, for the purpose of therapeutic massage. Massage therapy may include the external application and use of herbal or chemical preparations and lubricants such as salts, powders, liquids, nonprescription creams, mechanical devises such as T-bars, thumpers, body support systems, heat lamps, hot and cold packs, salt glow, steam cabinet baths or hydrotherapy. The term includes any massage, movement therapy, massage technology, myotherapy, massotherapy, oriental massage techniques, structural integration, or polarity therapy. The term shall not include laser therapy, microwave, injection therapy, manipulation of the joints, or any diagnosis or treatment of an illness that normally involves the practice of medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, podiatry, nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy, veterinary, acupuncture, osteopathy, orthopedics, hypnosis, or naturopathics."

Section 3. Sections 34-19-2 to 34-19-10, inclusive, Code of Alabama 1975, are repealed.

Section 4. Although this bill would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds, the bill is excluded from further requirements and application under Amendment 621, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, because the bill defines a new crime or amends the definition of an existing crime.

Section 5. This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Midwives

Midwifery, State Board of

Licenses and Licensing

Health

Women

Health Care

Health Care Providers

Boards and Commissions

Code Amended

Code Repealed