Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124

03/08/2024 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ HB 271 PARENTAL CONSENT FOR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT TELECONFERENCED
<Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 03/11/24>
*+ HB 175 BOARD OF LICENSED MIDWIVES TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
*+ HB 327 EXTEND: BOARD OF MASSAGE THERAPISTS TELECONFERENCED
<Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 03/11/24>
+ SSCR 4 DISAPPROVE EO 127 TELECONFERENCED
Considered
-- Public Testimony --
+ SSCR 6 DISAPPROVE EO 129 TELECONFERENCED
Considered
-- Public Testimony --
+ SSCR 7 DISAPPROVE EO 130 TELECONFERENCED
Considered
-- Public Testimony --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
*+ HB 189 SALE OF ALCOHOL BY PERSONS UNDER 21 TELECONFERENCED
Scheduled but Not Heard
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
          HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                         
                         March 8, 2024                                                                                          
                           3:20 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Jesse Sumner, Chair                                                                                              
Representative Mike Prax                                                                                                        
Representative Dan Saddler                                                                                                      
Representative Zack Fields                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Vice Chair                                                                                     
Representative Stanley Wright                                                                                                   
Representative Ashley Carrick                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 175                                                                                       
"An  Act relating  to  midwives and  the  practice of  midwifery;                                                               
relating to apprentice midwives;  renaming the Board of Certified                                                               
Direct-Entry  Midwives   as  the  Board  of   Licensed  Midwives;                                                               
relating  to  the  Board  of  Licensed  Midwives;  extending  the                                                               
termination date of  the Board of Licensed  Midwives; relating to                                                               
insurance; and providing for an effective date."                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SENATE SPECIAL CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4                                                                                      
Disapproving Executive Order No. 127.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     - CONSIDERED                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
SENATE SPECIAL CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6                                                                                      
Disapproving Executive Order No. 129.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     - CONSIDERED                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
SENATE SPECIAL CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 7                                                                                      
Disapproving Executive Order No. 130.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     - CONSIDERED                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 271                                                                                                              
"An Act relating to social media and minors; and providing for                                                                  
an effective date."                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     - BILL HEARING RESCHEDULED TO 3/11/24                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 327                                                                                                              
"An Act relating to the Board of Massage Therapists; and                                                                        
providing for an effective date."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     - BILL HEARING RESCHEDULED TO 3/11/24                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 189                                                                                                              
"An Act relating to the sale of alcohol; and providing for an                                                                   
effective date."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     - SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 175                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: BOARD OF LICENSED MIDWIVES                                                                                         
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) ALLARD                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
04/24/23       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
04/24/23       (H)       L&C, FIN                                                                                               
04/26/23       (H)       SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE INTRODUCED                                                                          
04/26/23       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
04/26/23       (H)       L&C, FIN                                                                                               
02/21/24       (H)       L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
02/21/24       (H)       -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                 
02/23/24       (H)       L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
02/23/24       (H)       Scheduled but Not Heard                                                                                
03/08/24       (H)       L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
BILL: SSCR 4                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: DISAPPROVE EO 127                                                                                                  
SPONSOR(s): RULES                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
02/12/24       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/12/24       (S)       L&C                                                                                                    
02/12/24       (S)       L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)                                                                      
02/12/24       (S)       Moved SSCR 4 Out of Committee                                                                          
02/12/24       (S)       MINUTE(L&C)                                                                                            
02/14/24       (S)       L&C RPT 4DP 1NR                                                                                        
02/14/24       (S)       DP: BJORKMAN, DUNBAR, BISHOP, GRAY-                                                                    
                         JACKSON                                                                                                
02/14/24       (S)       NR: MERRICK                                                                                            
02/14/24       (S)       TRANSMITTED TO (H)                                                                                     
02/14/24       (S)       VERSION: SSCR 4                                                                                        
02/19/24       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/19/24       (H)       L&C                                                                                                    
03/08/24       (H)       L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
BILL: SSCR 6                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: DISAPPROVE EO 129                                                                                                  
SPONSOR(s): RULES                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
02/12/24       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/12/24       (S)       L&C                                                                                                    
02/12/24       (S)       L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)                                                                      
02/12/24       (S)       Moved SSCR 6 Out of Committee                                                                          
02/12/24       (S)       MINUTE(L&C)                                                                                            
02/14/24       (S)       L&C RPT 2DP 1DNP 2NR                                                                                   
02/14/24       (S)       DP: BJORKMAN, BISHOP                                                                                   
02/14/24       (S)       DNP: GRAY-JACKSON                                                                                      
02/14/24       (S)       NR: MERRICK, DUNBAR                                                                                    
02/14/24       (S)       TRANSMITTED TO (H)                                                                                     
02/14/24       (S)       VERSION: SSCR 6                                                                                        
02/19/24       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/19/24       (H)       L&C                                                                                                    
03/08/24       (H)       L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
BILL: SSCR 7                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: DISAPPROVE EO 130                                                                                                  
SPONSOR(s): RULES                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
02/12/24       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/12/24       (S)       L&C                                                                                                    
02/12/24       (S)       L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)                                                                      
02/12/24       (S)       Moved SSCR 7 Out of Committee                                                                          
02/12/24       (S)       MINUTE(L&C)                                                                                            
02/14/24       (S)       L&C RPT 5DP                                                                                            
02/14/24       (S)       DP: BJORKMAN, MERRICK, DUNBAR, BISHOP,                                                                 
                         GRAY-JACKSON                                                                                           
02/14/24       (S)       TRANSMITTED TO (H)                                                                                     
02/14/24       (S)       VERSION: SSCR 7                                                                                        
02/19/24       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/19/24       (H)       L&C                                                                                                    
03/08/24       (H)       L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE ALLARD                                                                                                     
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  As prime sponsor, presented SSHB 175.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MARY YANAGAWA, representing self                                                                                                
Wasilla, Alaska                                                                                                                 
POSITION STATEMENT:   Gave invited  testimony in support  of SSHB
175 and presented a PowerPoint on the bill.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
RACHEL PUGH, Member                                                                                                             
Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives                                                                                        
Eagle River, Alaska                                                                                                             
POSITION STATEMENT:   Gave invited  testimony in support  of SSHB
175.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
IDA DARRAUGH, Executive Director                                                                                                
North American Registry of Midwives                                                                                             
Little Rock, Arkansas                                                                                                           
POSITION STATEMENT:   Gave invited  testimony in support  of SSHB
175.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
ALYSSA DECONTO, Certified Nurse Midwife                                                                                         
Kodiak, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:   Gave invited  testimony in support  of SSHB
175.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
ANNETTA ATWELL, Chair                                                                                                           
Board of Massage Therapists                                                                                                     
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in opposition to SSCR 4.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
JILL MOTZ, representing self                                                                                                    
Homer, Alaska                                                                                                                   
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Answered questions  during the  hearing on                                                             
SSCR 4.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3:20:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR JESSE SUMNER  called the House Labor  and Commerce Standing                                                             
Committee  meeting to  order at  3:20 p.m.  Representatives Prax,                                                               
Saddler, Fields, and Sumner were present at the call to order.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
               HB 175-BOARD OF LICENSED MIDWIVES                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:21:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the  first order of business would be                                                               
SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE  FOR HOUSE BILL  NO. 175, "An Act  relating to                                                               
midwives and  the practice of  midwifery; relating  to apprentice                                                               
midwives; renaming  the Board of Certified  Direct-Entry Midwives                                                               
as  the Board  of Licensed  Midwives;  relating to  the Board  of                                                               
Licensed Midwives;  extending the  termination date of  the Board                                                               
of Licensed  Midwives; relating to  insurance; and  providing for                                                               
an effective date."                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3:21:33 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE  ALLARD, Alaska State Legislature,  as prime                                                               
sponsor, presented  SSHB 175.   She shared the  sponsor statement                                                               
[included in  committee packet], which read  as follows [original                                                               
punctuation provided]:                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     House  Bill 175  aims  to enhance  access to  midwifery                                                                    
     care in Alaska  by alleviating unnecessary restrictions                                                                    
     on   licensed   midwives.  Midwives   deliver   crucial                                                                    
     healthcare  services  to  women  throughout  pregnancy,                                                                    
     childbirth, and  the postpartum period.  Yet, certified                                                                    
     midwives in Alaska face  practice limitations that this                                                                    
     bill proposes to eliminate.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     HB175  intends  to  retitle   the  Board  of  Certified                                                                    
     Direct-Entry   Midwives  to   the  Board   of  Licensed                                                                    
     Midwives and  extend its termination  date to  2027. It                                                                    
     seeks  to align  licensing with  national certification                                                                    
     standards,  removing   the  need  for   separate  state                                                                    
     certification and examination.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     The  bill  aims  to  prevent   the  Board  of  Licensed                                                                    
     Midwives from enforcing  regulations that would curtail                                                                    
     midwifery  practice. Under  this  bill, midwives  would                                                                    
     not   require   physician    supervision   or   written                                                                    
     collaborative  agreements  to  practice,  could  attend                                                                    
     home births, and provide care  for six weeks postpartum                                                                    
     extending from the current four weeks.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     Additionally, HB175 mandates  health insurance plans to                                                                    
     cover services provided  by licensed midwives, ensuring                                                                    
     care  is  both  accessible and  affordable  for  Alaska                                                                    
     families, significantly reducing healthcare barriers.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     In  conclusion, HB175  is  designed  to remove  hurdles                                                                    
     faced by midwives and the  soon to-be mothers depending                                                                    
     on them. It seeks a balance between public safety and                                                                      
      the preservation of birth choices and woman-centric                                                                       
     care.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:24:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MARY  YANAGAWA,  representing  self, gave  invited  testimony  in                                                               
support of  HB 175.  She  informed the committee that  she is the                                                               
former president of the Midwives  Association of Alaska (MAA) and                                                               
summarized her  professional experience as  a midwife.   She said                                                               
HB  175  started because  a  2020  legislative audit  recommended                                                               
reforms  to   the  state's   midwife  board,   including  updated                                                               
regulations  and   statutes  to   match  national   standards,  a                                                               
streamlined  licensure process,  accountability for  peer review,                                                               
and  adequate continuing  education  requirements.   She said  if                                                               
passed, SSHB  175 would meet  those requirements.   She explained                                                               
that the bill  would retitle the Board  of Certified Direct-Entry                                                               
Midwives (CDM) to  the Board of Licensed  Midwives; implement up-                                                               
to-date education and licensing  requirements; enable midwives to                                                               
practice to the full scope  of their training, certification, and                                                               
experience,  and  remove  the  archaic  restriction  of  "trade;"                                                               
require  insurance  companies  to cover  licensed  midwives;  and                                                               
require  all preceptors  to be  nationally vetted  and certified.                                                               
She  said  SSHB 175  would  ensure  that the  midwife  profession                                                               
flourishes,  and that  the legacy  of Alaskan  midwives continues                                                               
for generations to come.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:27:50 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  YANAGAWA directed  attention  to  a PowerPoint  presentation                                                               
entitled,  "HB 175  midwifery"  [hardcopy  included in  committee                                                               
packet], which provided an overview  of the presentation on slide                                                               
2.                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3:28:23 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  YANAGAWA  moved to  slide  3,  "Midwifery Care  Demonstrates                                                               
Several  Benefits  to  Alaskan  Women,"  which  read  as  follows                                                               
[original punctuation provided]:                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
   • Significantly lower cesarean section rates with the                                                                      
     care of CDM/CPMs. (6% vs 23% in hospital)                                                                                
   • CDM/CPMs have had 0 Maternal Deaths vs the Hospital                                                                      
       rates of 6-20 per year. (see Pregnancy  Associated                                                                       
     Mortality in Alaska pdf)                                                                                                   
   • Significantly fewer low birth weight babies and babies                                                                   
        born prematurely with the care of CDM/CPMs, all                                                                       
     indicators  for   improved  outcomes,   especially  for                                                                    
     vulnerable populations                                                                                                     
   • Significantly higher breastfeeding  rates (99% at birth                                                                  
     and  99%  at  6  weeks postpartum)  with  the  care  of                                                                  
     CDM/CPMs,  with  the accompanying  demonstrated  health                                                                    
     benefits  for mother  and infants  extending throughout                                                                    
     lifetimes.                                                                                                                 
   • Higher  rates of  intact perineum  (without  a tear  or                                                                  
     episiotomy); Lower rates of episiotomy.                                                                                    
   • Lower  unneeded medical  interventions such  as induced                                                                    
     labor,  continuous  electronic  fetal  monitoring,  and                                                                    
     cesarean birth.                                                                                                            
   • Beter experiences  with community birth  with CDM/CPMs.                                                                  
     Lower  postpartum depression  rates due  to being  more                                                                
     satisfied  with  the  personalization  of  their  care,                                                                  
     their care  environment, quality of  their relationship                                                                  
     with   their  midwife,   their   ability   to  have   a                                                                  
     physiologic birth.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:31:10 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. YANAGAWA continued to slide 4, "2023 Facts and Statistics,"                                                                 
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
   • The current  statues for midwifery  are 30+  years old,                                                                    
     need  to   be  updated   to  meet   national  midwifery                                                                    
     standards.                                                                                                                 
   • 33 Alaskan  CDM/CPMs attended 6%  of the births  in the                                                                    
     State. The average in the Lower 48 is less than 1%.                                                                        
   • 94% of Alaskan women who  begin care with CDM/CPMs have                                                                    
     a vaginal birth.                                                                                                           
   • 3% Postpartum Maternal Transfer Rate                                                                                       
   • 0% Maternal Mortality Rate                                                                                                 
   • Alaskan  CDM/CPMs have  a 6%  cesarean section  rate vs                                                                    
     23% in hospitals.                                                                                                          
   • 2% Neonatal Transfer Rate                                                                                                  
   • 0.02% Neonatal Mortality Rate                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MS. YANAGAWA proceeded to slide 5, "Name Change of the                                                                          
Regulatory Board," which read as follows [original punctuation                                                                  
provided]:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     APRN  Advanced Practice Registered Nurse                                                                                 
     CNM  Certified Nurse Midwives                                                                                            
   • Majority work in the hospital system.                                                                                      
   • They  are Registered  Nurses  who  enter the  midwifery                                                                    
     profession   through   their    nursing   degree   with                                                                    
     additional training in Midwifery.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Licensed Midwives                                                                                                        
     CDMCertified Direct Entry Midwives (Alaska)                                                                              
     CPM    Certified    Professional   Midwives   (National                                                                  
     Certification)                                                                                                           
   • They  are  licensed  midwives specifically  trained  in                                                                    
     out-of-hospital  births. At  the  request  of the  2020                                                                    
     legislative audit  the Board of Certified  Direct Entry                                                                    
     Midwives made  a regulation  change requiring  all CDMs                                                                    
     to also  be CPMs  to begin the  process of  meeting all                                                                    
     national credentialing standards.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:34:17 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. YANAGAWA concluded on slide 6, "What Does This Bill Do?"                                                                    
Slide 6 read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
   • Protects   families   from    the   medicalization   of                                                                    
     childbirth and disempowerment of women.                                                                                    
   • Increases  access and  utilization of  out of  hospital                                                                    
     midwifery care services.                                                                                                   
   • Enables  CDM/CPMs to  practice to  their full  scope of                                                                    
     training and certifications.                                                                                               
   • The first major update to  midwifery statues in over 30                                                                    
     years.                                                                                                                     
   • Updates title  from CDM to  LM (Licensed  Midwives), so                                                                    
     they  are  recognized  by all  major  insurance  plans,                                                                    
     which  will  make birthing  out  of  the hospital  more                                                                    
     affordable and available for more Alaskans.                                                                                
   • Updates   licensure  requirements   and  standards   to                                                                    
     National standards.                                                                                                        
   • Requires additional training and CEU for midwives.                                                                         
   • Requires preceptors to be Nationally certified.                                                                            
   • Ensures autonomy for CDM/CPMs.                                                                                             
   • Makes  home births  more  affordable  and available  to                                                                    
     Alaskan families.                                                                                                          
   • Restructures  state  midwifery  board by  removing  its                                                                    
     direct competitors.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:36:02 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether delivery with a midwife is                                                                    
covered by insurance in Alaska.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MS.  YANAGAWA answered  yes,  most  insurance policies;  however,                                                               
some  policies  restrict midwifery.    She  said the  bill  would                                                               
statutorily require Alaskan insurance plans to cover midwives.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PRAX  asked  whether midwives  carry  malpractice                                                               
insurance.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MS. YANAGAWA  said some midwives  choose to; however, it's  not a                                                               
requirement.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX referred to the  deleted language on page 10,                                                               
line 7, and asked what conditions were being eliminated.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MS. YANAGAWA did not know the answer.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:38:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  ALLARD offered  to follow  up with  the requested                                                               
information.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PRAX surmised  that the  scope of  practice would                                                               
come into the national accredited training programs.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MS. YANAGAWA stated  that the scope of practice  would fall under                                                               
Certified  Professional  Midwife  (CPM), which  is  the  national                                                               
credentialing.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
3:38:57 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked who issues the CPM credential.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MS. YANAGAWA said the North American Registry of Midwives.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER  asked how  the CPM standard  would change                                                               
existing midwifery practices in Alaska.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MS.  YANAGAWA explained  that the  CDM's  current restriction  of                                                               
trade  prevents   midwives  from   delivering  twins   outside  a                                                               
hospital, as  well as  breaches and  vagina birth  after cesarean                                                               
(VBAC).                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   SADDLER   asked    whether   there   are   other                                                               
differences.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. YANAGAWA said  most states are using the  CPM standard across                                                               
the  board,  which  allows  the  training  and  certification  to                                                               
perform those types of deliveries.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER  said he had  received a number  of emails                                                               
citing a  petition that asserts  that women are being  "forced to                                                               
do things" and  asked what mechanism of force  was being referred                                                               
to.                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3:44:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. YANAGAWA acknowledged  that the verbiage in  the petition may                                                               
have  come across  very strong.   She  perceived the  petition to                                                               
imply that without access to  good midwifery care, women are left                                                               
with limited options.   She explained that if the  only option is                                                               
to go  to a hospital  where a  person may have  experienced prior                                                               
birthing trauma, she  may feel like she's being  forced into that                                                               
situation.  She  added that midwifery care  advocates for patient                                                               
autonomy  and informed  consent, and  much less  pressure than  a                                                               
hospital model.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  SADDLER  reiterated  that  women  are  not  being                                                               
forced to go to hospitals, and  if the Executive Orders (EO) were                                                               
to take  effect, women  would still  not be forced  to go  to the                                                               
hospital.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:45:53 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD  clarified that the petition  came from one                                                               
individual   and    questioned   the    document's   accusations.                                                               
Nonetheless, she  emphasized that  sometimes, women want  to give                                                               
birth at  home in a  loving environment.   She shared  a personal                                                               
anecdote about giving birth and  contrasted the care she received                                                               
in  a private  hospital  with  that of  an  army  facility.   She                                                               
pointed out  that some women  live an hour  and half away  from a                                                               
hospital, and  if this bill  were to  pass, those women  would be                                                               
able to give birth at home.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  SADDLER stipulated  that  midwifery  is good  and                                                               
that families should  be able to engage in it  if they so choose.                                                               
Nonetheless,  he indicated  that his  queries revolve  around the                                                               
technical and legal side of the practice.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:49:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
RACHEL PUGH,  Member, Board  of Certified  Direct-Entry Midwives,                                                               
gave invited  testimony in  support of SSHB  175.   She recounted                                                               
how  the   idea  for   the  bill   was  formed,   beginning  with                                                               
recommendations from  the 2020 legislative  audit.  She  said the                                                               
bill would  complete those recommendations  and help  move Alaska                                                               
midwifery into the  twenty first century by  updating statutes to                                                               
the  national   standard,  which   benefits  the  public.     She                                                               
questioned why the committee would choose not to pass the bill.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:51:51 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
IDA  DARRAUGH, Executive  Director,  North  American Registry  of                                                               
Midwives, gave  invited testimony  in support of  SSHB 175.   She                                                               
said NARM  issues the  CPM credential, which  is the  standard of                                                               
licensure being  proposed in  the bill.   She explained  that the                                                               
state  licensure  exam  would  stay  the  same,  but  eligibility                                                               
requirements  would  become standardized.    One  of the  biggest                                                               
advantages,  she  said,  is  that  evaluation  process  would  be                                                               
reviewed by a  professional at NARM.  The  CPM certification also                                                               
requires  re-certification   every  three  years   with  specific                                                               
continuing  education and  peer review  processes.   In addition,                                                               
the  title  of  "licensed  midwife,"  as  opposed  to  "certified                                                               
direct-entry  midwife," is  better recognized  by most  insurance                                                               
companies.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:55:01 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PRAX  asked  whether  NARM  handles  disciplinary                                                               
measures for other states.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MS.  DARRAUGH  answered yes,  there  is  a disciplinary  process;                                                               
however,  if the  complaint relates  to  state regulations,  NARM                                                               
encourages the issue to be settled in state.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   PRAX  asked   whether  skill   requirements  are                                                               
included in NARM's certification.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MS. DARRAUGH  responded yes, a  supervised clinical period  of at                                                               
least  two years  is required  under a  registered preceptor  who                                                               
verifies the demonstration of each skill.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:58:24 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ALYSSA DECONTO,  Certified Nurse Midwife, gave  invited testimony                                                               
in support of SSHB  175.  She said CPMs inspired  her to get into                                                               
birth  work,  as  they  are   experts  in  normal  birth,  normal                                                               
pregnancy, trauma informed care, and  community health.  She said                                                               
the bill would standardize midwifery  in Alaska and allow greater                                                               
access to competent care.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:00:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER  questioned the qualitative  difference in                                                               
services provided  under the current regulatory  regime in Alaska                                                               
versus the CPM standard.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MS.  DECONTO said  the national  standard allows  midwives to  be                                                               
protected from "[falling] victim to disillusion."                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   SADDLER  questioned   the   use   of  the   term                                                               
"disillusion" and asked Ms. Deconto to expand on that.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MS.  DECONTO  opined  that  midwives  are  vulnerable  to  having                                                               
limited practice or not being reimbursed by insurance.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  SADDLER  sought  to confirm  that  the  licensure                                                               
would provide protection for the profession.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD  clarified that  the bill would  not change                                                               
the scope of practice, it would change the responsibilities.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:03:17 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER announced that SSHB 175 would be held over.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:03:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 4:04 p.m. to 4:07 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                    SSCR 4-DISAPPROVE EO 127                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
4:07:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER announced  that the next order of  business would be                                                               
SENATE   SPECIAL  CONCURRENT   RESOLUTION  NO.   4,  Disapproving                                                               
Executive Order No. 127.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:08:03 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER opened public testimony on SSCR 4.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
4:08:26 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ANNETTA ATWELL, Chair, Board of  Massage Therapists, testified in                                                               
opposition to SSCR 4 and urged members  to veto EO 127.  She said                                                               
the sunset audit's evaluation debunked  the notion of eliminating                                                               
the  board for  efficiency.    She said  the  most notable  audit                                                               
recommendation was an increase in  licensure fees, which would be                                                               
accomplished  through the  Department  of  Commerce, Community  &                                                               
Economic Development (DCCED).   She explained that  the board had                                                               
consistently focused on efforts  to keep safety, professionalism,                                                               
and the  best interests of  massage therapists and the  public at                                                               
the forefront.   The goal  is to  continue the training  of board                                                               
members  on safety  protocols  concerning  human trafficking  and                                                               
prostitution  rings.    She  stated  that  the  board  hosts  its                                                               
colleagues  in  a town  hall  meeting  each  year where  much  is                                                               
learned  about  how  to  keep  the  community  safe  from  unsafe                                                               
practices.     She  added  that  licensees   can  bill  insurance                                                               
companies if they are credentialed with the insurance company.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
4:14:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether  insurance companies base their                                                               
underwriting material on a national standard.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MS. ATWELL did not know the answer.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PRAX  asked  whether the  national  certification                                                               
board engages in disciplinary action in other states.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MS. ATWELL deferred the question to Ms. Motz.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
4:16:23 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JILL MOTZ, representing self, informed  the committee that she is                                                               
the former chair  of the state Board of Massage  Therapists.  She                                                               
said  there are  no  national organizations  that participate  in                                                               
oversight or disciplinary action of message therapists.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:17:08 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER  closed public testimony  and announced that  SSCR 4                                                               
would be held over.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                    SSCR 6-DISAPPROVE EO 129                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
4:17:19 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER announced  that the next order of  business would be                                                               
SENATE   SPECIAL  CONCURRENT   RESOLUTION  NO.   6,  Disapproving                                                               
Executive Order No. 129.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:17:30 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  SUMNER  opened   public  testimony  on  SSCR   6.    After                                                               
ascertaining  that no  one wished  to testify,  he closed  public                                                               
testimony and announced that SSCR 6 would be held over.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                    SSCR 7-DISAPPROVE EO 130                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
4:17:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the  final order of business would be                                                               
SENATE   SPECIAL  CONCURRENT   RESOLUTION  NO.   7,  Disapproving                                                               
Executive Order No. 130.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:18:04 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  SUMNER  opened   public  testimony  on  SSCR   7.    After                                                               
ascertaining  that no  one wished  to testify,  he closed  public                                                               
testimony and announced that SSCR 7 would be held over.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:18:28 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
There being no  further business before the  committee, the House                                                               
Labor and  Commerce Standing Committee  meeting was  adjourned at                                                               
4:18 p.m.                                                                                                                       

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
HB271 Sponsor Statement.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 271
HB271 Sectional Analysis Version A.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 271
HB327 Support Letters.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 327
HB175 Support Letters.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 175
HB327 Written Testimony 03 05 24.docx HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 327
HB327.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 327
HB327 letter.docx HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 327
HB 175 & EO130 Petitions 20240308.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 175
HB 175 & EO130 Petitions 20240308.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 175
SSCR 7
HB175 - Sectional Analysis 2.14.24.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 175
HB175 - Sponsor Statement 2.14.24.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 175
Midwife Powerpoint presentation.pptx HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 175
MaternalMortality_2022.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 175
Letter from Board of Certified Direct Entry Midwives.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 175
Maternity-Care-Report-Alaska.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 175
Medicaid Cost Savings in 2022 for Midwives.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 175
NACPM Ltr to Alaska Senate Labor and Commerce Committee_2_1_2024.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 175
NARM Letter to Gov.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 175
VitalStatistics_Annualreport_2022.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 175
improving-our-maternity-care-now.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 175
FSC re HB 254 3-11-24.docx HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 254
ESPLERP opposition to Alaska HB254.docx HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 254
Woodhull HB 254 Letter of Opposition.docx HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 254
HB175 Amendment Packet.pdf HL&C 3/8/2024 3:15:00 PM
HB 175