---
title: SB 258. Access to Midwife-led Birth Centers Grant Program; establish
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sb258
cite_as: SB 258, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb258
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb258.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb258/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70793
date: 2025-02-27
status: introduced
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 95
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb258.md?full=1
bill_number: SB 258
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2025-02-26
last_action: Senate Read and Referred
sponsors:
- Donzella James
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SB258/2025
upstream_id: 1985794
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- midwifery licensing
- maternal health
- birth centers
- health insurance coverage
- rural health access
---
# SB 258. Access to Midwife-led Birth Centers Grant Program; establish
## Text
Senate Bill 258
By: Senator James of the 28th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to
establish the Access to Midwife-led Birth Centers Grant Program; to repeal provisions
relating to the practice of midwifery; to amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to professions and businesses, so as to provide for the licensure and
regulation of midwives; to provide for a grant program promoting midwife-led birth centers;
to provide for an application process for the grant program; to provide for procedures for
administering the grant program; to provide for eligibility to receive funds under the
program; to provide for requirements of how the funds are to be spent; to provide for audits
of the grant program; to provide for reporting to the General Assembly; to provide for a short
title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for definitions; to provide for the creation
of the Advisory Board for Licensed Midwives; to provide for its membership and duties; to
provide for licensure requirements; to provide for the issuance, renewal, and revocation of
licenses; to require written disclosures to clients; to provide for authorized acts and duties of
licensed midwives; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for nuisances; to provide
for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other
purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, is amended in Chapter
2A, relating to the Department of Public Health, by adding a new article to read as follows:
"ARTICLE 4
31-2A-60.
As used in this article, the term:
(1) 'Client' means a person seeking or receiving prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum
maternal care.
(2) 'Contract management agency' or 'agency' means a nongovernmental organization
whose mission and practice is to provide access to birth centers and prenatal, intrapartum,
and postpartum maternal care.
(3) 'Direct client service provider' or 'provider' means an organization with a contractual
relationship with the contract management agency and that provides access to birth
centers and prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum maternal care.
(4) 'Program' means the Access to Midwife-led Birth Centers Grant Program established
by this article.
31-2A-61.
There is established within the department the Access to Midwife-led Birth Centers Grant
Program. The purpose of the program shall be to develop a state-wide effort that promotes
access to midwife-led birth centers by awarding grants to organizations that operate birth
centers and provide prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum maternal care.
31-2A-62.
(a) The department shall oversee the program and is authorized to contract with a contract
management agency to administer the program.
(b) The contract management agency selected by the department shall meet the definition
of a contract management agency as defined in paragraph (3) of Code Section 31-2A-60
and shall:
(1) Create a grant application process;
(2) Evaluate grant applications and make recommendations to the department;
(3) Communicate acceptance or denial of grant applications to direct client service
providers;
(4) Monitor compliance with the terms and conditions of the grant;
(5) Maintain records for each grant applicant and award; and
(6) Coordinate activities and correspondence between the department and direct client
service providers.
31-2A-63.
The services which shall be funded by the program include:
(1) Medical care and information, including but not limited to pregnancy tests; sexually
transmitted disease tests; other health screenings; ultrasound services; prenatal,
intrapartum, and postpartum maternal care; and birth classes and planning;
(2) Nutritional services and education;
(3) Housing, education, and employment assistance during pregnancy and up to one year
following a birth;
(4) Child care assistance if necessary for the client to receive pregnancy support services;
(5) Material items which are supportive of pregnancy and childbirth, including but not
limited to cribs, car seats, clothing, formula, or other safety devices;
(6) Information regarding healthcare benefits, including but not limited to available
Medicaid coverage for the client for pregnancy care that provides health coverage for the
client's child upon his or her birth;
(7) Postpartum care for a period of one year following a birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, or
neonatal death. Such care shall include physiological assessments, mental health
evaluations, nutritional evaluations, and guidance on personal and newborn care. Such
care shall include:
(A) At least four visits to a birth center as follows:
(i) An initial visit within 24 hours of a birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death;
(ii) A follow-up visit within the first three weeks postpartum;
(iii) A follow-up visit within the first eight weeks postpartum; and
(iv) A comprehensive visit no later than 12 weeks postpartum; and
(B) Intermediary and ongoing care as needed; and
(8) Establishing new birth centers.
31-2A-64.
(a) Grants shall be awarded annually on a competitive basis to direct client service
providers that display competent experience in providing any of the services included in
Code Section 31-2A-63 pursuant to guidelines and criteria established pursuant to this
article and where such services are provided by midwives. Grants shall also be awarded
on a competitive basis to direct client service providers that establish new birth centers in
counties where none previously existed.
(b) The department shall, with input from the agency, determine the maximum grant
amount to be awarded to each direct client service provider, and such grant amount shall
not exceed 85 percent of the annual revenue for the prior year of any provider or 85 percent
of the cost of building a new birth center.
(c) The grant agreement entered into between the agency and a direct client service
provider shall stipulate that the grant shall be used to provide any or all pregnancy support
services at the discretion of the provider pursuant to Code Section 31-2A-63 or to fund the
construction of a new birth center.
31-2A-65.
(a) In order to be considered for a grant under this article, each direct client service
provider shall:
(1) Have a primary mission of promoting healthy pregnancies and midwife-led birth
centers;
(2) Have a system of financial accountability consistent with generally accepted
accounting principles, including an annual budget;
(3) Have a board that hires and supervises a director who manages the organization's
operations;
(4) Have provided midwife-led prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum maternal care
services for a minimum of one year;
(5) Offer, at a minimum, pregnancy tests and counseling for women who are or may be
experiencing unplanned pregnancies;
(6) Provide confidential and free pregnancy support services;
(7) Have a proposal to build a birth center in a county which does not currently have one;
and
(8) Maintain confidentiality of all data, files, and records of clients related to the services
provided and in compliance with state and federal laws.
(b) The department shall publish the direct client service provider criteria on its website.
31-2A-66.
Each direct client service provider shall maintain accurate records and report data annually
on forms and in the manner required by the department. Each provider may be required
to provide additional information and data at the discretion of the department.
31-2A-67.
Confidentiality of all data, files, and records of clients related to the services provided
under this article shall be maintained by the department, contract management agency, and
direct client service provider pursuant to federal and state laws related to privacy of
medical records, including requirements under the federal Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996, P.L. 104-191.
31-2A-68.
The agency shall conduct an annual audit of each direct client service provider by an
independent certified public accountant within 120 days of the completion of its fiscal year
verifying that it has complied with all requirements of this article and any other
requirements of the department.
31-2A-69.
(a) The department shall annually report to the General Assembly on its use of funds
appropriated to the department pursuant to this article.
(b) The department shall also provide an annual report no later than September 30 of each
year beginning September 30, 2026, which shall provide the following information for the
immediately preceding fiscal year:
(1) The amount of any contributions or other funding received;
(2) The total amount of expenses; and
(3) The amount of funds disbursed through the agency to direct client service providers.
(c) The reports required by this Code section shall be made available to the public free of
charge by electronic means and in such other manner as the department deems appropriate.
31-2A-70.
The department is authorized to accept donations, contributions, and gifts and receive,
hold, and use grants, devises, and bequests of real, personal, and mixed property on behalf
of the state to enable the department to carry out the functions and purposes of this article."
SECTION 2.
Said title is further amended by repealing in its entirety Chapter 26, relating to the practice
of midwifery, and designating said chapter as reserved.
SECTION 3.
Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions and businesses,
is amended by adding a new chapter to read as follows:
"CHAPTER 24B
43-24B-1.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the 'Georgia Licensed Midwife Act.'
43-24B-2.
The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Childbirth is the culmination of pregnancy and is a natural process, not a disease;
(2) Regulating the practice of midwifery promotes access to safe and effective prenatal,
childbirth, and postpartum care, providing for the health, safety, and welfare of mothers
and their newborns;
(3) Midwifery has always been a highly valued part of life in this state;
(4) Parents are entitled to freedom in choosing their provider and setting for childbirth;
(5) Potential parents in this state desire alternatives to currently available hospital based
maternity care;
(6) Costs of out-of-hospital childbirth tend to be lower than in-hospital childbirth;
(7) Planned out-of-hospital childbirth is safer when assisted by trained midwives;
(8) Midwives can assist women and their families with safe and effective childbirth
while guiding the health, safety, and welfare of mothers and their newborns through the
childbearing year;
(9) Certified professional midwives are specialists in out-of-hospital births;
(10) Many parts of this state currently experience a crisis in access to safe and effective
care for mothers and their newborns during the prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum
periods;
(11) Numerous counties in this state are underserved by obstetricians;
(12) Improved access to midwives in all settings is associated with significantly higher
rates of spontaneous vaginal delivery, vaginal birth after cesarean delivery, and
breastfeeding at birth and at six months and significantly lower rates of cesarean section,
preterm birth, and low birth weight infants;
(13) Midwifery care improves pregnancy outcomes for both low-risk and high-risk
women in underserved rural and urban communities;
(14) Lack of access to licensed midwives compels families to have unattended
out-of-hospital births or travel long distances to get care; and
(15) For healthy women, midwife assisted childbirth in out-of-hospital settings has lower
maternity and infant morbidity rates than in-hospital childbirth.
43-24B-3.
As used in this chapter, the term:
(1) 'Advisory board' means the Advisory Board for Licensed Midwives established
pursuant to Code Section 43-24B-4.
(2) 'Certified nurse midwife' means a midwife who has been certified by the American
Midwifery Certification Board or its successor organization and is licensed by the
Georgia Board of Nursing.
(3) 'Certified professional midwife' means a midwife who has been certified by the North
American Registry of Midwives or its successor organization.
(4) 'Consultation' means a communication between a midwife and another healthcare
professional when assessing a condition during the prenatal, childbirth, or postpartum
periods.
(5) 'Informed consent' means a verbal or written agreement from a client to consent to
procedures, protocols, and treatments or recommended diagnostic tests after full
disclosure of the current standard of care and its purpose, benefits, known risks,
contraindications, and associated risks, as well as any alternative options.
(6) 'Informed refusal' means a verbal or written agreement from a client indicating that,
after full disclosure of the current standard of care and its purpose, benefits, known risks,
contraindications, and risks associated with its refusal, the client has the legal authority
in all but the rarest of emergency circumstances to decline procedures, protocols,
treatments, or diagnostic tests that such client finds unacceptable for any reason.
(7) 'License' means a license issued pursuant to this chapter to practice midwifery.
(8) 'Licensed midwife' means a midwife who has a license to practice midwifery in this
state pursuant to this chapter, including certified nurse midwives and certified
professional midwives.
(9) 'Midwifery' means the assistance given to women during the prenatal, childbirth, and
postpartum periods, including wellness screening and education.
(10) 'Midwifery assistant' means any person working under the supervision of a licensed
midwife as defined in this chapter.
(11) 'Out-of-hospital birth' means a birth that occurs at home or at a birth center.
(12) 'Referral' means a request made by a midwife to a physician or other healthcare
professional for an assessment of a client or newborn in order to determine appropriate
care.
43-24B-4.
(a) There is created within the division the Advisory Board for Licensed Midwives which
shall consist of six members appointed by the Governor as follows:
(1) Three certified professional midwives;
(2) One consumer member who has firsthand experience with out-of-hospital births and
who does not derive a substantial livelihood from the provision of any services related
to prenatal, childbirth, or postpartum care;
(3) One certified nurse midwife; and
(4) One licensed physician who has firsthand experience with out-of-hospital births.
(b) Each member of the advisory board shall be a citizen of the United States and shall
have been a resident of Georgia for at least five years immediately preceding appointment.
Members of the advisory board may serve for unlimited terms, except that no member may
serve more than two consecutive terms.
(c) The members of the advisory board shall serve for staggered terms of three years each;
provided, however, that initial appointments shall be made as follows:
(1) One certified professional midwife and one certified nurse midwife for a term of
three years;
(2) One certified professional midwife and one licensed physician for a term of two
years; and
(3) One certified professional midwife and one consumer member for a term of one year.
(d) Each member of the advisory board shall receive the expense allowance as provided
by subsection (b) of Code Section 45-7-21 and the same mileage allowance for the use of
a personal car as that received by other state officials and employees or a travel allowance
of actual transportation cost if traveling by public carrier within this state. Each advisory
board member shall also be reimbursed for any conference or meeting registration fee
incurred in the performance of his or her duties as an advisory board member. For each
day's service outside of the state as an advisory board member, such member shall receive
actual expenses as an expense allowance as well as the mileage allowance for the use of
a personal car equal to that received by other state officials and employees or a travel
allowance of actual transportation cost if traveling by public carrier or by rental motor
vehicle. Expense vouchers submitted by advisory board members are subject to the
approval of the chairperson. Out-of-state travel by advisory board members must be
approved by the advisory board chairperson.
(e) Any vacancy on the advisory board shall be filled in the same manner as the regular
appointments. The Governor may remove members of the advisory board for
incompetence, neglect of duty, unprofessional conduct, conviction of any felony, failure
to meet the qualifications of this chapter, or committing any act prohibited by this chapter.
(f) The advisory board shall elect a chairperson from among its membership and may elect
other officers at the discretion of the advisory board, who shall each serve for one year.
(g) The advisory board shall meet at least once per year or as otherwise called by the
chairperson.
43-24B-5.
No person shall identify himself or herself as a licensed midwife in this state unless
licensed as such pursuant to this chapter. On and after July 1, 2025, no person without a
license issued pursuant to this chapter shall use the title 'licensed midwife' or the
abbreviation 'L.M.'.
43-24B-6.
Each applicant for a license under this chapter shall be at least 18 years of age, shall have
submitted a completed application upon a form and in such manner as the advisory board
prescribes, accompanied by applicable fees, and shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Possessing:
(A) A national certification by the North American Registry of Midwives as a certified
professional midwife; or
(B) A national certification recognized by the advisory board and substantially
equivalent to the North American Registry of Midwives for certified professional
midwives;
(2) Having completed:
(A) An educational program or pathway accredited by the Midwifery Education
Accreditation Council and obtained the certified professional midwife credential; or
(B) An educational pathway not accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation
Council and:
(i) Possessing the Midwifery Bridge Certificate issued by the North American
Registry of Midwives; or
(ii) For certified professional midwives who have maintained licensure in a state that
does not require completion of an educational program or pathway accredited by the
Midwifery Education Accreditation Council, obtaining the Midwifery Bridge
Certificate regardless of the date of such certification;
(3) Having satisfactory results from a criminal background check report conducted by
the Georgia Crime Information Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as
determined by the advisory board. Application for a license under this chapter shall
constitute express consent and authorization for the advisory board to perform such
criminal background check. Each applicant who submits an application for licensure
agrees to provide the advisory board with any and all information necessary to run such
criminal background check, including, but not limited to, classifiable sets of fingerprints.
The applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated with the performance of such
background check; and
(4) Completing such other requirements as may be prescribed by the advisory board.
43-24B-7.
After evaluation of an application and other evidence submitted, the advisory board shall
notify each applicant that such application and evidence submitted are satisfactory and
accepted or unsatisfactory and rejected. If rejected, the notice shall state the reasons for
the rejection.
43-24B-8.
(a) A license issued by the advisory board is the property of the advisory board and must
be surrendered on demand.
(b) The licensee shall display the license in an appropriate and public manner.
(c) The licensee shall inform the advisory board of any change of address.
(d) The license shall be renewed biennially if the licensee is not in violation of this chapter
at the time of application for renewal.
(e) Each person licensed under this chapter is responsible for renewing his or her license
before the expiration date.
(f) Under procedures and conditions established by the advisory board, a licensee may
request that his or her license be declared inactive. The licensee may apply for active status
at any time, and upon meeting the conditions set by the advisory board, such license shall
be declared active.
43-24B-9.
(a) The advisory board may revoke, suspend, deny, or refuse to issue or renew a license;
place a licensee on probation; or issue a letter of admonition upon proof that the licensee
or applicant has:
(1) Procured or attempted to procure a license by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation,
misleading omission, or material misstatement of fact;
(2) Been convicted of a felony or of any crime involving moral turpitude as provided
under state law;
(3) Willfully or negligently acted in a manner inconsistent with the health or safety of
persons under such licensee's care;
(4) Had a license to practice a business or profession suspended or revoked or has
otherwise been subject to discipline related to such licensee's practice of a business or
profession in any other jurisdiction;
(5) Committed a fraudulent act that materially affects the fitness of the licensee or
applicant to practice a business or profession;
(6) Excessively or habitually used alcohol or drugs, provided that the advisory board
shall not discipline a licensee under this paragraph if such licensee is enrolled in a
substance abuse program approved by the advisory board; or
(7) A physical or mental disability that renders such licensee incapable of safely
practicing midwifery.
(b) The advisory board is authorized to conduct investigations into allegations of conduct
described in subsection (a) of this Code section.
(c) In addition to revoking, suspending, denying, or refusing to renew a license, the
advisory board may fine a licensee found to have violated any provision of this chapter or
any rule adopted by the advisory board under this chapter in an amount not less than
$100.00 nor more than $500.00 for each such violation.
(d) The provisions of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,'
shall be applicable to the advisory board and the provisions of this chapter.
(e) Any person may file a complaint with the advisory board with respect to a licensed
midwife.
43-24B-10.
(a) Before performing midwifery services, a licensed midwife shall provide, in a language
that is understandable to the client, a written disclosure containing:
(1) The midwife's name, address, telephone number, and license number;
(2) Relevant information about the licensed midwife's training, qualifications, expertise,
and disciplinary sanctions, if any;
(3) The midwife's fees and method of billing;
(4) The relevant state laws and regulations pertaining to the practice of midwifery in this
state;
(5) The method by which a client may file a complaint with the advisory board;
(6) Whether the licensed midwife has liability insurance; and
(7) Any other relevant information required by the advisory board.
(b) A licensed midwife shall obtain a signed written informed consent or informed refusal
in a language that is understandable to the client.
(c) Written disclosures, written informed consents, and written informed refusals shall be
signed by the client and retained by the licensed midwife for at least six years.
43-24B-11.
(a) A licensed midwife shall be authorized to:
(1) Order prenatal, postpartum, and wellness laboratory analyses to be performed by a
licensed laboratory for screening purposes;
(2) Order obstetric ultrasounds;
(3) Administer prescription drugs prescribed by a licensed physician or other authorized
healthcare professional; and
(4) Precept apprentices and student midwives and supervise midwifery assistants,
provided that apprentices, student midwives, and midwifery assistants work only under
the direction of the licensed midwife.
(b) A licensed midwife shall:
(1) Provide midwifery services consistent with the job analysis of the North American
Registry of Midwives or its successor organization and consistent with the standards of
practice of the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives or another
national midwifery organization approved by the advisory board;
(2) Keep current with continuing education consistent with standards established by a
national organization recognized by the advisory board;
(3) Provide clients with access to written plans for consultation, referral, and transport;
(4) Provide clients with access to practice guidelines as required by the midwife's
certifying organization;
(5) Notify clients about relevant state governmental requirements affecting newborns;
(6) File a birth certificate for each birth in accordance with the laws of this state; and
(7) Purchase, possess, carry, or administer prescription supplies, including intravenous
bags for fluid replenishment, Rho(D) immunoglobulin, vitamin K for administering orally
or through intramuscular injection, postpartum antihemorrhagic agents, local anesthetics
for suturing childbirth related lacerations or episiotomies, oxygen, prophylactic eye
agents for newborns, and other prescription medications or restricted medical items
approved by the advisory board.
43-24B-12.
A licensed midwife shall not practice midwifery when:
(1) Impaired due to any physical, mental, or substance abuse related problem; or
(2) Circumstances reasonably make the practice of midwifery by the licensed midwife
amount to reckless disregard for a client's health, safety, or welfare.
43-24B-13.
A licensed midwife may terminate services to a client for any reason, provided that the
client has reasonable access to other professional care.
43-24B-14.
A licensed midwife may seek discretionary consultation with a licensed physician or
certified nurse midwife and such physician or certified nurse midwife shall not be held
liable for any acts or omissions on the part of such licensed midwife, unless such physician
or certified nurse midwife directly contributes to acts or omissions of such licensed
midwife involving reckless disregard for the health, safety, or welfare of a client or
newborn.
43-24B-15.
(a) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to affect or prevent:
(1) Any licensed healthcare professionals from engaging in the authorized scope of
practice of their profession;
(2) Members of a client's family from providing incidental care;
(3) Representatives of a client's culture or religion from providing care consistent with
tenets or practices relying on spiritual care of the physical body;
(4) Care providers from acting under the orders or direction of licensed healthcare
professionals; or
(5) Anyone providing incidental support or information to a pregnant woman.
(b) Midwifery shall not constitute the practice of medicine in this state.
(c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to change the regulation of physicians as
provided for in the laws of this state.
43-24B-16.
Any health insurance policy, health maintenance organization plan, or other form of health
insurance coverage, including Medicaid, that covers maternity care shall not deny coverage
for maternity care provided by a licensed midwife in any setting and shall reimburse
maternity care by a licensed midwife at the same rate as for other providers of maternity
care covered by the insurance policy.
43-24B-17.
Any violation of this chapter or any rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter
is declared to be a public nuisance subject to abatement as provided in Code
Section 31-5-9."
SECTION 4.
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law
without such approval.
SECTION 5.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
## Summaries written by Georgia Commons
The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.
A Georgia Senate bill would create a state grant program to fund midwife-led birth centers and set up a new licensing system for midwives, replacing Georgia's current midwifery law.
### Plain-language summary
Georgia currently has an older, narrower law governing midwifery practice. This bill would repeal that law entirely and replace it with two new systems. First, it creates the Access to Midwife-led Birth Centers Grant Program inside the Department of Public Health, which would award competitive grants to organizations that run birth centers or provide prenatal, birth, and postpartum care, including money to build new birth centers in counties that lack one. Second, it creates a new licensing framework for midwives under a new Georgia Licensed Midwife Act in Title 43, run by a six-member Advisory Board for Licensed Midwives appointed by the Governor.
The licensing chapter spells out who can call themselves a licensed midwife, what training and background checks are required, what disclosures midwives must give clients, what medical tasks licensed midwives can perform, and what discipline (fines, suspension, revocation) the board can impose. It also requires health insurers, including Medicaid, to cover and reimburse midwife-provided maternity care at the same rate as other providers. The act would take effect once the Governor signs it or it becomes law without a signature.
### What it does
- Establishes the Access to Midwife-led Birth Centers Grant Program within the Department of Public Health to fund birth centers and maternal care services.
- Repeals Georgia's existing midwifery practice law (Chapter 26 of Title 31) and designates that chapter as reserved.
- Creates the Georgia Licensed Midwife Act, a new licensing and regulatory system for midwives under Title 43.
- Creates a six-member Advisory Board for Licensed Midwives, appointed by the Governor, to issue licenses, set standards, and discipline midwives.
- Requires health insurance plans and Medicaid to cover maternity care by licensed midwives and reimburse it at the same rate as other maternity providers.
- Makes it illegal to use the title 'licensed midwife' or the abbreviation 'L.M.' without a license issued under the new chapter, starting July 1, 2025.
### Who it affects
Pregnant people and new parents seeking midwife-led care, midwives (certified nurse midwives and certified professional midwives) seeking licensure, organizations that run or plan to build birth centers, the Department of Public Health, a new Advisory Board for Licensed Midwives, and health insurers and Medicaid, which must cover midwife-provided maternity care.
### Why it matters
Georgians in areas without easy access to obstetric care could gain funded options for midwife-led birth centers and clearer legal standards for midwifery practice. Insurers and Medicaid would have to pay midwives the same as other maternity providers, and midwives without a new state license could no longer use that title after July 1, 2025.
### Key provisions
- Section 1 creates the grant program (O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-60 et seq.), letting the department contract with an outside agency to run applications, monitoring, and record-keeping for grants to birth centers.
- Grants cannot exceed 85 percent of a provider's prior-year revenue or 85 percent of the cost of building a new birth center (§ 31-2A-64).
- Providers must meet eligibility criteria including at least one year of midwife-led care experience and financial accountability standards (§ 31-2A-65) before receiving funds.
- The department must report annually to the General Assembly and publish a public report each year starting September 30, 2026, on funds received and disbursed (§ 31-2A-69).
- Section 2 repeals Georgia's existing Chapter 26 midwifery law entirely, leaving that chapter reserved for future use.
- Section 3 creates the Georgia Licensed Midwife Act (Title 43, Chapter 24B), setting licensing requirements including national certification, education, and criminal background checks (§ 43-24B-6).
- The Advisory Board for Licensed Midwives can fine violators between $100 and $500 per violation, or suspend, revoke, or deny licenses (§ 43-24B-9).
- Section 43-24B-16 bars health insurers and Medicaid from denying coverage for midwife-provided maternity care and requires equal reimbursement rates.
## Status
- Status: Introduced (2025-02-26)
- Last action: Senate Read and Referred (2025-02-27)
- Sponsors: Donzella James
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70793
> The history, votes, and amendments (95 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb258.md?full=1