HB1481: HB1481 National Black Midwives Day in Georgia; March 14 of each year; designate

26 LC 62 0373 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 A nnotated, relating to1 holidays and observances, so as to designate Black Midwives Day in Georgia; to provide for2 legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other3 purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 The General Assembly finds that:7 (1) Black midwives fulfill an essential role and contribute to improving maternal health8 outcomes by addressing disparities and providing congruent care to Black birthing9 people;10 (2) The Black Midwives Day campaign was founded in 2023 by the National Black11 Midwives Alliance to designate March 14 as a day of awareness, education, advocacy,12 and community engagement to uplift the legacy and ongoing work of Black midwives;13 (3) Black maternal health in the United States remains in cris is, with Black birthing14 people experiencing significantly higher rates of maternal morb idity and mortality15 regardless of income, education, or socioeconomic status;16 H. B. 1481 - 1 - 26 LC 62 0373 (4) Many cities and counties in the United States face a high number of maternity care17 deserts, where women of childbearing age do not have access to hospitals or birth centers18 offering maternity care or obstetric providers, which leads to higher rates of maternal19 morbidity and mortality, as most complications occur in the pos tpartum period when20 birthing people are far away from their providers;21 (5) Integrating midwives into the maternity care system has been shown to improve birth22 outcomes, reduce medical interventions, and decrease the racial disparities in maternal23 and infant health;24 (6) Midwives can assist birthing people and their families wit h safe and effective25 childbirth options, and promulgating midwifery promotes access to safe and effective26 antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care;27 (7) Black midwives have historically provided holistic community centered care yet have28 been systematically excluded from healthcare systems through re strictive policies and29 regulations;30 (8) The resurgence of Black midwifery is a testament to midwives' resilience and their31 commitment to reclaiming traditional birthing practices that prioritize respect, autonomy,32 and positive health outcomes;33 (9) It is important to invest in midwifery to expand access to midwifery education and34 training and to ensure fair compensation and support for midwives;35 (10) In order to facilitate optimal healthcare access, midwives should have no restrictions36 to practicing midwifery to the full extent and scope of their training;37 (11) In order to promote the restoration of Black midwives to their communities, all38 educational and certification pathways should be open, available, and funded to build the39 workforce of midwives; and40 (12) Observing Black Midwives Day creates an opportunity to support and recognize the41 long-standing and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant42 health in the United States.43 H. B. 1481 - 2 - 26 LC 62 0373 SECTION 2.44 Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to holidays and45 observances, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:46 "1-4-28.47 March 14 of each year is designated as 'National Black Midwives Day' in Georgia."48 SECTION 3.49 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.50 H. B. 1481 - 3 -