Legislature(2007 - 2008)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/06/2007 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB48 | |
| HB35 | |
| HB67 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 35 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 48 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 67 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 35
An Act extending the termination date for the Board of
Certified Direct-Entry Midwives; and providing for an
effective date.
BRODIE ANDERSON, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT KAWASAKI,
explained that the bill would extend the sunset date of the
Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives to June 30, 2015,
in accordance with the request made by the Legislative Audit
Division.
The purpose of the Board is to protect the health and safety
of the public by identifying individuals who are willing to
pursue training and meet the qualifications necessary to
become a licensed midwife. The Board is composed of five
members:
· Two certified direct entry midwives
· One certified nurse midwife
· One physician licensed by the Alaska State Medical
Board
· One public member
Vice Chair Stoltze inquired what got Representative Kawasaki
interested in midwifery. Mr. Anderson noted that the
Representative works in the health care profession at
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.
1:56:43 PM
RICK URION, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING,
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, offered to
answer questions of the Committee.
DANA BROWN, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), CHAIR, BOARD OF
MIDWIVES, ANCHORAGE, testified in support of the bill &
offered to answer questions of the Committee.
1:57:46 PM
KAY KANNE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JUNEAU FAMILY BIRTH CENTER,
JUNEAU, noted she is a Certified Direct-Entry Midwife. She
urged support of HB 35, a bill to extend licensing of the
Board to 2015. She noted that Alaska has excellent
midwifery standards resulting from past efforts of the
Legislature & the Board.
The Board writes and implements regulations for the
governing of Certified Direct-Entry midwives in Alaska. The
Board strives for the highest standards and as a result,
midwives in Alaska are professional, well trained and
provide safe care for women and families.
Ms. Kanne added that Alaska has the best midwifery laws in
the United States. Many other states have looked to Alaska
as an example when passing midwifery legislation. She urged
support of the bill.
1:59:31 PM
Co-Chair Chenault asked if midwives attend twice as many
births. Ms. Kanne explained that there are about 10%
midwife assisted births in Alaska; nationwide, about 5% of
all births are midwife assisted.
Co-Chair Chenault asked the requirements for a midwife. Ms.
Kanne noted that there are two different types of midwives:
· Certified Nurse Midwifery, regulated by the Nursing
Board and can graduate with 25-30 births;
· Certified Direct Entry Midwifery, requiring 60
births before they receive their licensing.
In response to Co-Chair Chenault, Ms. Kanne explained that
the standards for certified direct entry midwives is high
because out-of-hospital births are not as accepted in this
country and it is important that the midwives prove they
really know what they are doing in order to get licensed.
Representative Foster MOVED to REPORT HB 35 out of Committee
with individual recommendations and with the accompanying
new fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so
ordered.
HB 35 was reported out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with a new fiscal note by the House
Finance Committee for Department of Commerce, Community &
Economic Development.
AT EASE: 2:02:40 PM
RECONVENE: 2:03:57 PM
2:04:06 PM
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