HR1595: HR1595 Black Midwives Day in Georgia; March 14, 2026; recognize

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives recognizes March 14, 2026 as Black Midwives Day in Georgia. It does not change any law, create funding, or impose new requirements. Instead, it is a symbolic statement describing the role Black midwives play in improving maternal health outcomes, addressing racial disparities in maternal mortality, and providing care in areas known as maternity care deserts, where hospitals or birth centers offering maternity care are scarce. The resolution's whereas clauses describe the history of Black midwifery, the exclusion of Black midwives from healthcare systems through past restrictive policies, and the importance of expanding midwifery education and removing practice restrictions. The operative part of the resolution simply has the House recognize the day, and it directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to the National Black Midwives Alliance.

• Formally recognizes March 14, 2026, as Black Midwives Day in Georgia through a House resolution.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send a copy of the resolution to the National Black Midwives Alliance.
• Makes no changes to Georgia law, licensing rules, or state funding; it is a commemorative statement only.

The resolution primarily speaks to Black midwives and the birthing people they serve in Georgia. It also references the National Black Midwives Alliance, which will receive an official copy, and more broadly touches maternal health advocates and healthcare providers involved in childbirth care.

While the resolution carries no legal force or funding, it gives official recognition from the Georgia House to the contributions of Black midwives and draws public attention to racial disparities in maternal health outcomes and the shortage of maternity care providers in some areas.

• The whereas clauses describe disparities in Black maternal morbidity and mortality and the existence of maternity care deserts lacking hospitals or birth centers offering obstetric care.
• The resolution states that integrating midwives into maternity care improves birth outcomes and reduces racial disparities.
• The operative resolving clause recognizes March 14, 2026, as Black Midwives Day in Georgia.
• A further resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute a copy of the resolution to the National Black Midwives Alliance.

1. 2026-03-04House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-03-04House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-04House Hopper (House)

• Park Cannon (D, HD-058)Primary sponsor
• 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)

• maternal health
• Black midwives
• healthcare disparities
• commemorative resolution
• childbirth care