03/20/2014 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE

                  SB 156-DIRECT-ENTRY MIDWIVES                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:57:39 PM                                                                                                                    
VICE-CHAIR  MICCICHE reconvened  the  meeting  and announced  the                                                               
consideration  of  SB  156.  "An  Act  relating  to  direct-entry                                                               
midwives."                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:57:54 PM                                                                                                                    
HEATHER  SHADDUCK,  Staff,  Senator   Pete  Kelly,  Alaska  State                                                               
Legislature, Juneau,  Alaska, said  she introduced SB  156 during                                                               
the previous  meeting and public  testimony was taken.  She noted                                                               
the  professionals who  were available  to  answer questions  and                                                               
that the packets contained a  letter from Don Habeger in response                                                               
to questions that were raised  last hearing. He reported that all                                                               
but one of the licensed midwives  live on the road system and she                                                               
lives  in Sandy,  Utah. He  also  reported that  there are  state                                                               
licensing exemptions for employees of tribal health programs.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
VICE-CHAIR MICCICHE closed public testimony.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:59:37 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:04:56 PM                                                                                                                    
VICE-CHAIR  MICCICHE  reconvened  the   meeting  and  noted  that                                                               
Senator Olson had joined the committee.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR OLSON asked Ms. Shadduck to remind him of the changes.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MS. SHADDUCK explained that the  bill allows updates and required                                                               
practices to be placed in  regulation instead of statute. It also                                                               
adds a requirement that a midwife  must be licensed for two years                                                               
and attend 50 births in order  to be a preceptor. It also repeals                                                               
the cultural traditions.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR OLSON asked if the board supported the bill.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MS. SHADDUCK confirmed  that both the Board  of Certified Direct-                                                               
Entry  Midwives and  the Midwives  Association of  Alaska support                                                               
the  bill.  She  reiterated  her  explanation  of  Mr.  Habeger's                                                               
letter.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  OLSON  asked if  the  rural  care providers  had  voiced                                                               
concern with the bill.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MS.  SHADDUCK offered  her understanding  that the  Alaska Native                                                               
Tribal  Health Consortium  (ANTHC) said  there was  no reason  to                                                               
oppose the bill because tribal organizations are exempt.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
VICE-CHAIR MICCICHE  found no further  questions or  comments and                                                               
solicited a motion.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:07:07 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  STEDMAN  moved to  report  SB  156 from  committee  with                                                               
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s).                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
VICE-CHAIR MICCICHE announced that  without objection, SB 156 was                                                               
reported from the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee.