Click for PDF: http://www.akdemocrats.org/sponsor/SB349_ss_sen_davis.pdf

Currently there are 6 birth centers in Alaska, 5 registered and 1 licensed. The owners of these birth centers, both certified direct entry and certified nurse midwives, concluded the need to have one licensed standard for all birthing centers. These licensed birth centers will have one set of regulations to follow, comply with annual inspections, and put safeguards in place to guarantee the birth center is a safe environment for families.

In March of this year, the birth center owners collaborated together to rewrite regulations for licensed birth centers, which have not been changed since 1982, and have submitted their recommendations to the rewriting regulation process. With this bill, the registered birth centers will be given six months to become licensed facilities. The midwives of Alaska have agreed there should be one uniform standard birthing center and encourage the members of the Legislature to support the passage of this important legislation.


Extras: SB349 bill root