Bill > AB836

This bill establishes a comprehensive statewide study on midwifery education in California, to be administered by the Department of Health Care Access and Information upon legislative appropriation. The study, to be conducted by an outside consultant, will comprehensively examine the current midwifery education landscape, including evaluating educational trends, financial sustainability, student pipeline diversity, educational pathways, and workforce needs. Key components include assessing funding resources, student debt, clinical training opportunities, and potential education models that can serve both rural and urban areas. The study will also explore innovative training approaches, such as interprofessional education between obstetricians and midwives and collaborative training for nurse-midwives and licensed midwives. The department is required to submit a detailed report to the Legislature within 36 months of funding, which must be posted on their website and shared with their reproductive health and maternity care electronic mailing list. The bill recognizes the current shortage of midwifery education programs (with only a single program currently accepting students) and aims to develop strategies to support a more diverse and sustainable midwifery workforce that can meet California's maternal and reproductive health needs.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB836