Legislature(2007 - 2008)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/26/2007 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
HB35 | |
SB89 | |
SB105 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ | HB 35 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | SB 89 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | SB 105 | 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." This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance Committee. Co-Chair Stedman reminded Members that the Senate companion bill to this bill, SB 81-EXTEND BOARD OF MIDWIVES, had reported from Committee on March 13. Absent any objection to the contrary, the intent is that this bill report from Committee and "join up" with SB 81 in the Senate Rules Committee. 9:03:49 AM REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT KAWASAKI, the bill's sponsor, affirmed that HB 35 and SB 81 were companion bills. HB 35 would extend the termination date for the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives eight years, to the year 2015. Representative Kawasaki advised that this cost-neutral Board addresses issues pertinent to the current 36 practicing midwifes in the State. He urged passage of the bill as the Board is beneficial to the public and the profession. Representatives of the midwifery profession and the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee were available to testify to the benefits of continuing the Board. Co-Chair Stedman informed the Committee that the fiscal note accompanying HB 35 differed from the one accompanying SB 81 in that HB 35's fiscal note correctly depicted the fiscal impact on the FY 2007 (FY 07) budget. Thus, the intent was to eventually meld the House fiscal note with the Senate version of the bill. Co-Chair Hoffman moved to report the bill from Committee with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal note. Senator Huggins objected in order to learn how to properly pronounce the bill sponsor's name. Representative Kawasaki complied. Senator Huggins removed his objection. Senator Olson objected in order to hear a midwifery professional's perspective about the Board. 9:08:03 AM KAYE KANNE, Certified Direct-Entry Midwife, Executive Director of the Juneau Family Birth Center, and representative of the Midwifes Association of Alaska, informed the Committee that, in addition to helping establish the Board, she had served as a Board member for eight years. 9:08:30 AM Senator Olson asked the difference between a midwife and a certified direct-entry midwife. Ms. Kanne divulged that, while most countries only have one midwife classification, the United States has two: certified nurse midwifes and certified direct-entry midwifes who are also referred to in some states as licensed midwifes. Originally, certified nurse midwifes worked in hospitals under a physician's supervision. Eventually, the midwifery profession was expanded as the need "to serve women in their homes" was recognized. Ms. Kanne informed that the two midwifery classifications are melding today. Certified direct-entry midwifes have become more professional and a licensure process has been established in practically every state. Certified nurse midwives are now working in birth centers as well as managing home births. Ms. Kanne disclosed that because certified direct-entry midwifes were originally apart from the medical profession, their clinical training requirements are more extensive than a certified nurse midwife "or even a physician". The midwifery licensure requirements include attending a specified number of births and apprenticeship programs. Senator Olson removed his objection. There being no further objection, HB 35 was REPORTED from Committee with previous zero fiscal note #1 from the House Finance Committee for the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. Co-Chair Stedman reiterated that the intent was to eventually attach HB 35's fiscal note #1 with SB 81. 9:10:24 AM
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