Georgia CommonsHB 1481: National Black Midwives Day in Georgia; March 14 of each year; designate
Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action March 4, 2026 · Introduced
The text as LegiScan holds it, read from the PDF the legislature publishes with its margin line numbers, running heads, and page footers removed. Line breaks are joined into paragraphs here; no word is changed.
Underlined words are what the bill adds to current law and struck-through words are what it removes, as the printed bill shows them.
House Bill 1481
By: Representatives Cannon of the 58th, Bazemore of the 69th, Miller of the 62nd, and Holly of the 116th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to holidays and observances, so as to designate Black Midwives Day in Georgia; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Black midwives fulfill an essential role and contribute to improving maternal health outcomes by addressing disparities and providing congruent care to Black birthing people;
(2) The Black Midwives Day campaign was founded in 2023 by the National Black Midwives Alliance to designate March 14 as a day of awareness, education, advocacy, and community engagement to uplift the legacy and ongoing work of Black midwives;
(3) Black maternal health in the United States remains in crisis, with Black birthing people experiencing significantly higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality regardless of income, education, or socioeconomic status;
(4) Many cities and counties in the United States face a high number of maternity care deserts, where women of childbearing age do not have access to hospitals or birth centers offering maternity care or obstetric providers, which leads to higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality, as most complications occur in the postpartum period when birthing people are far away from their providers;
(5) Integrating midwives into the maternity care system has been shown to improve birth outcomes, reduce medical interventions, and decrease the racial disparities in maternal and infant health;
(6) Midwives can assist birthing people and their families with safe and effective childbirth options, and promulgating midwifery promotes access to safe and effective antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care;
(7) Black midwives have historically provided holistic community centered care yet have been systematically excluded from healthcare systems through restrictive policies and regulations;
(8) The resurgence of Black midwifery is a testament to midwives' resilience and their commitment to reclaiming traditional birthing practices that prioritize respect, autonomy, and positive health outcomes;
(9) It is important to invest in midwifery to expand access to midwifery education and training and to ensure fair compensation and support for midwives;
(10) In order to facilitate optimal healthcare access, midwives should have no restrictions to practicing midwifery to the full extent and scope of their training;
(11) In order to promote the restoration of Black midwives to their communities, all educational and certification pathways should be open, available, and funded to build the workforce of midwives; and
(12) Observing Black Midwives Day creates an opportunity to support and recognize the long-standing and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States.
SECTION 2.
Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to holidays and observances, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
"1-4-28.
March 14 of each year is designated as 'National Black Midwives Day' in Georgia."
SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.