This bill seeks to amend Alaska's midwifery laws by renaming the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives to the Board of Licensed Midwives and extending its termination date to June 30, 2031. The legislation aims to support women's rights to home births with licensed midwives, improve the quality of care for pregnant women and their children, and ensure insurance coverage for midwifery services regardless of location. Key changes include new licensing requirements, a permit system for apprentice midwives, and a clearer definition of the board's powers and duties.

Significant amendments involve requiring licensed midwives to hold a valid certified professional midwife certificate, implementing a two-year supervised apprenticeship program, and establishing grounds for disciplinary actions against licensed midwives. The bill also prohibits unnecessary restrictions on licensed midwives, such as requiring nursing degrees or supervision by other healthcare providers. Furthermore, it allows licensed midwives to practice independently, clarifies the definition of midwifery to encompass a wider range of services, and mandates health care insurers to cover home birth services. The transition for current direct-entry midwives to licensed midwives is also addressed, ensuring a seamless licensing process. The bill will take effect in stages, with some provisions becoming effective immediately.

Statutes affected:
HB0095A, AM HB 95, introduced 02/12/2025: 08.01.010, 08.65.010, 08.02.110, 08.64.380, 08.02.130, 08.03.010, 08.64.370, 39.05.080, 08.65.030, 08.65.050, 08.65.140, 08.65.100, 08.65.110, 08.65.080, 08.65.070, 08.65.090, 08.65.120, 08.01.075, 18.15.150, 18.15.200, 18.50.160, 18.50.230, 18.50.240, 08.65.150, 08.65.170, 08.65.160, 11.81.900, 08.65.180, 08.65.190, 18.35.399, 09.65.300, 11.41.470, 18.20.095, 18.50.165, 21.36.090, 21.42.365, 21.42.347, 21.42.355, 21.84.335, 25.20.055, 44.62.330, 47.07.900, 47.20.320, 08.65.060