HB520: HB520 Georgia Licensed Midwife Act; enact

Georgia currently regulates midwifery under Chapter 26 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. This bill repeals that chapter entirely and creates a new licensing framework, the Georgia Licensed Midwife Act, inside Title 43, the state's professions and businesses code. The bill creates a six member Advisory Board for Licensed Midwives, appointed by the Governor, to set licensing requirements, issue and renew licenses every two years, and discipline midwives through fines, suspension, or revocation. It defines the practice of midwifery broadly, covering prenatal, birth, postpartum, and limited newborn and interconception care, while listing things midwives cannot do, such as surgical deliveries or administering epidurals. It requires informed consent forms, sets rules for unlicensed practice with disclosures, protects midwives from liability when clients decline referrals after informed consent, and requires health insurance plans, including Medicaid, to cover and reimburse midwife-provided maternity care at the same rate as other providers. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it.

• Repeals Chapter 26 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, ending the state's existing midwifery regulation, and creates a new Chapter 24B in Title 43 to replace it.
• Creates a six member Advisory Board for Licensed Midwives, appointed by the Governor, to issue licenses, set training standards, and discipline midwives.
• Sets licensing requirements including fingerprint background checks, CPR and neonatal resuscitation certification, a pharmacology course, and certification from a recognized midwifery organization.
• Allows the advisory board to fine midwives $100 to $500 per violation, or revoke, suspend, or deny a license for misconduct, fraud, or incapacity.
• Makes it illegal to practice midwifery without a license, but allows unlicensed practice if the person makes required written disclosures to clients about their lack of licensure.
• Requires health insurance plans and Medicaid that cover maternity care to also cover and reimburse licensed midwives at the same rate as other maternity providers.

Licensed and unlicensed midwives, pregnant women and their families choosing out-of-hospital births, physicians and other healthcare providers who consult or collaborate with midwives, health insurers and Medicaid, and the Georgia Governor's office, which appoints the new advisory board.

Georgians choosing midwife-assisted, out-of-hospital births would gain a formal state licensing and complaint system, clearer legal boundaries on what midwives can and cannot do, and guaranteed insurance coverage for midwife care, changing how these services are regulated, paid for, and disciplined statewide.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 31-7-131 to add midwives to the list of professionals covered by hospital peer review protections.
• Section 2 repeals Chapter 26 of Title 31 in its entirety, eliminating the current midwifery regulatory chapter.
• Section 3 creates new Chapter 24B of Title 43, establishing the Georgia Licensed Midwife Act, the advisory board, licensing rules, scope of practice limits, and insurance coverage requirements (O.C.G.A. §§ 43-24B-1 through 43-24B-19).
• Section 43-24B-8 sets fines of $100 to $500 per violation and lets the advisory board revoke, suspend, or deny licenses for fraud, felony convictions, substance abuse, or unsafe practice.
• Section 43-24B-10 makes unlicensed midwifery practice illegal unless the practitioner discloses their unlicensed status and limitations to clients in writing.
• Section 43-24B-18 requires health insurance policies and Medicaid covering maternity care to cover and reimburse licensed midwives at the same rate as other maternity providers.
• Section 4 adds a new exception to the Georgia Registered Professional Nurse Practice Act (O.C.G.A. § 43-26-12) for midwives licensed under the new chapter.
• Section 5 states the Act takes effect immediately upon the Governor's signature or becoming law without signature.

1. 2025-02-27House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
2. 2025-02-21House Second Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-20House First Readers (House)
4. 2025-02-19House Hopper (House)

• Karen Mathiak (R, HD-082)Primary sponsor
• Alan Powell (R, HD-033)
• Martin Momtahan (R, HD-017)
• Al Williams (D, HD-168)
• Katie Dempsey (R, HD-013)
• Ginny Ehrhart (R, HD-036)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 27, 2025

   95 yea, 62 nay (11 not voting, 12 absent)

   Move From P&ch To Hth: House Vote #112

• midwifery licensing
• maternity care
• childbirth options
• health insurance coverage
• healthcare regulation