SR 398: Black Midwives Day; recognize March 14, 2025

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate rather than a law that changes anyone's rights or duties. It recognizes March 14, 2025, as Black Midwives Day, citing the historical and present-day role Black midwives have played in maternal and infant health care in Georgia, especially for Black birthing people. The resolution names specific Georgia midwives, apprentice midwives, and organizations such as the Accreditation Commission of Community Midwives Education and Certification, the Alliance of Certified Community Midwives, and the Bellies to Babies Foundation. It describes Georgia's maternity care desert crisis and high Black maternal mortality rates as context. The only operative actions are the Senate's formal recognition of the day and a directive that the Secretary of the Senate distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• Formally recognizes March 14, 2025, as Black Midwives Day in the Georgia Senate.
• States the Senate's position honoring the contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in Georgia.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
• Does not create any new law, funding, licensing requirement, or program; it has no regulatory or budgetary effect.

The resolution names specific Black midwives, apprentice and student midwives, and midwifery organizations in Georgia, including the Accreditation Commission of Community Midwives Education and Certification, the Alliance of Certified Community Midwives, and the Bellies to Babies Foundation. It is a symbolic statement and does not impose obligations on any group.

Because this is a resolution rather than a law, it does not change funding, licensing, or medical practice rules for midwives in Georgia. Its effect is symbolic: a formal statement from the Senate acknowledging Black midwives' role and highlighting concerns about maternity care deserts and Black maternal mortality.

• The resolving clause recognizes March 14, 2025, as Black Midwives Day in honor of Black midwives' contributions to maternal and infant health in Georgia.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available for distribution to the public and the press.
• The preamble (whereas clauses) describes the history of Black midwifery, Georgia's maternity care desert crisis, and disparities in Black maternal mortality, but these are context rather than operative provisions.

1. 2025-03-18Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2025-03-13Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Donzella James (D, SD-28)Primary sponsor
• Michael 'Doc' Rhett (D, SD-33)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-36)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-2)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-35)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-55)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-43)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-17)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-34)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-40)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-38)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-44)

• Black Midwives Day
• maternal health
• midwifery
• Georgia Senate resolutions
• maternal mortality