Bill > SB258

This bill establishes the Access to Midwife-led Birth Centers Grant Program in Georgia, creating a comprehensive framework for supporting and regulating midwifery services. The bill creates a state-wide grant program to develop and fund midwife-led birth centers, with the goal of improving maternal and infant healthcare, particularly in underserved areas. The program will award annual competitive grants to organizations that provide prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum care, with funding potentially covering up to 85% of a provider's annual revenue or the cost of building a new birth center. The bill also establishes an Advisory Board for Licensed Midwives to oversee midwife licensure and regulation, setting specific requirements for midwife certification, including educational qualifications, background checks, and professional standards. Services funded by the grants can include medical care, health screenings, nutritional services, housing and employment assistance, child care support, and comprehensive postpartum care. Additionally, the legislation emphasizes the importance of midwifery as a valuable healthcare option, noting that midwife-assisted out-of-hospital births can be safe and often have lower costs and better outcomes compared to traditional hospital births. The bill requires grant recipients to maintain confidentiality, provide free and confidential services, and submit annual reports, ultimately aiming to improve maternal healthcare access and options in Georgia.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70793