HB178 Alabama 2013 Session

This bill would establish a State Board of Midwifery to grant licensure to practice midwifery; would provide for the composition of the board members; would provide for a licensing fee; would provide for the functions of the board; would specify requirements for rules for licensed midwives, particularly requiring that clients be provided an informed consent form prior to having services performed; would provide for midwives to file certificates of birth; and would provide for penalties for violating this bill

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

Permitting 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 provide for a license to practice midwifery; to provide for a licensing fee; 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 message; 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.