House · Introduced · 2025-2026 Regular Session

HB 1481: National Black Midwives Day in Georgia; March 14 of each year; designate

Last action March 4, 2026 · House Second Readers

A Georgia House bill would officially designate March 14 of each year as National Black Midwives Day, recognizing the role of Black midwives in maternal health care.

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In plain language

This bill adds a new section to Georgia's law on state holidays and observances (O.C.G.A. Chapter 4 of Title 1) to designate March 14 as National Black Midwives Day. The bill includes a lengthy set of legislative findings describing the history and contributions of Black midwives, disparities in Black maternal health outcomes, and the role midwives play in improving birth outcomes and expanding access to care in areas without enough maternity providers. The operative change is short: it creates a new Code section, O.C.G.A. § 1-4-28, stating that March 14 of each year is designated as National Black Midwives Day in Georgia. The bill does not create new funding, licensing rules, or legal requirements; it is a symbolic observance day added to state law. It also repeals any conflicting laws.

What the bill does

Adds a new Code section, O.C.G.A. § 1-4-28, designating March 14 of each year as National Black Midwives Day in Georgia.
States legislative findings on Black maternal health disparities, maternity care deserts, and the historical role of Black midwives.
Repeals any existing state laws that conflict with the new designation.

Who it affects

The designation primarily affects public recognition and awareness rather than any regulated group directly. It touches Black midwives and midwifery advocates, maternal health organizations, and Georgians interested in maternal and infant health, since the bill highlights disparities in Black maternal health outcomes.

Why it matters

The bill would give Black midwives and their historical contributions to maternal health an official day of recognition in Georgia law. It does not change licensing, funding, or scope-of-practice rules for midwives, so its practical effect is limited to symbolic observance and public awareness.

Key provisions

Section 1 lists legislative findings on Black maternal health disparities, maternity care deserts, and the history and role of Black midwives.
Section 2 amends Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated by adding new Code section 1-4-28, designating March 14 as National Black Midwives Day.
Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

From the bill

“March 14 of each year is designated as 'National Black Midwives Day' in Georgia.”
This is the bill's core operative language creating the new observance day.

“Black birthing people experiencing significantly higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality regardless of income, education, or socioeconomic status”
A legislative finding describing racial disparities in maternal health outcomes.

Status timeline

2026-03-04House Second Readers (House)
2026-03-03House First Readers (House)
2026-02-26House Hopper (House)

Topics

maternal health
midwifery
state observances
Black maternal health
public health

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