Georgia CommonsHR 1595: Black Midwives Day in Georgia; March 14, 2026; recognize
Last action March 4, 2026 · House Read and Adopted
A Georgia House resolution recognizes March 14, 2026, as Black Midwives Day in Georgia, honoring the role of Black midwives in maternal and infant health.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives designates March 14, 2026, as Black Midwives Day in Georgia. It does not change any law or create new programs or funding. Instead, it states the House's recognition of Black midwives' historical and ongoing contributions to maternal health, particularly in addressing higher rates of maternal illness and death among Black birthing people. The resolution's whereas clauses describe maternal health disparities, maternity care deserts, and the benefits of integrating midwives into care systems. It calls for expanding access to midwifery education, training, and full scope-of-practice recognition, though the resolution itself does not enact any of these policy changes. The Clerk of the House is directed to send a copy of the resolution to the National Black Midwives Alliance.
What the bill does
- Formally designates March 14, 2026, as Black Midwives Day in Georgia through a House resolution.
- States the House's recognition of Black midwives' contributions to maternal and infant health outcomes.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send a copy of the resolution to the National Black Midwives Alliance.
- Does not create any new law, funding, licensing change, or enforcement mechanism; it is a symbolic recognition only.
Who it affects
Black midwives and midwifery organizations, particularly the National Black Midwives Alliance, which will receive a copy of the resolution. It also touches Black birthing people and maternal health advocates whose experiences are described in the resolution's text.
Why it matters
While the resolution carries no legal force, it publicly acknowledges disparities in Black maternal health outcomes and the role midwives play in addressing them, potentially raising awareness and signaling legislative attention to midwifery access issues in Georgia.
Key provisions
- The resolving clause recognizes March 14, 2026, as Black Midwives Day in Georgia.
- A further resolution directs the Clerk of the House to distribute a copy of the resolution to the National Black Midwives Alliance.
- The whereas clauses, while not legally operative, describe maternal health disparities and call attention to expanding midwifery education, training, and scope-of-practice recognition.
From the bill
“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize March 14, 2026, as Black Midwives Day in Georgia.”
“in order to facilitate optimal healthcare access, midwives should have no restrictions to practicing midwifery to the full extent and scope of their training”
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Park Cannon (D, HD-058)
- Rhonda Taylor (D, HD-092)
- Sandra Scott (D, HD-076)
- Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)
- Sylvia Baker (D, HD-064)
- Terry Cummings (D, HD-039)
Topics
- Black Midwives Day
- maternal health
- midwifery
- Black maternal mortality
- legislative resolutions