Senate advances midwifery regulatory bill

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Legislation that would recognize, certify and regulate home-birth midwives in Kentucky passed the state Senate today by a 32-4 vote.

The measure, known as Senate Bill 84, would create a council to advise the state Board of Nursing on the creation of regulations regarding qualifications, standards for training, competency, any necessary statutory changes and all other matters relating to certified professional midwives.

Sen. Tom Buford, R-Nicholasville, a primary sponsor of SB 84, said birth certificates show that about 700 babies are born at home in Kentucky every year. That’s despite the fact the state stopped issuing permits to home-birth midwives in 1975. He said SB 84 wasn’t whether to allow home-birth midwives but whether to regulate a practice and discourage charlatans from preying on expecting mothers.

He said home-birth midwives were also eager to legitimize their already robust industry.

Sen. Ralph Alvarado, R-Winchester, spoke against SB 84. The pediatrician by training expressed concern that women seeking to give birth at home during high-risk pregnancies would endanger the baby’s life.

Buford said the advisory council to the nursing board would consider high-risk births when establishing the licensure process. He added that the council would include obstetricians.

SB 84 now goes to the House of Representatives for its consideration.