AB 1308 Passed

By Stephanie Sakasai

Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 1308 into law on October 9, 2013. After more than two decades of and backed by numerous studies demonstrating the general safety and costs savings associated with home births, the midwives successfully resolved the long standing resistance to change in 2013 lobbying for the passage of Assembly Bill 1308, which removes the physician supervision requirement.

For the first time in California history midwives are recognized as autonomous providers. This means that midwives can now have equal access to drugs, tests and medical devices necessary in midwifery practice.

The good and the bad of this bill can be easily read at “http://www.cafamiliesformidwives.org/#!about1/c2id” midwives.org site.”

By the passing of this bill it authorizes state licensure for licensed midwife operated birthing centers. One impetus for support of this bill after so long is because of the changes the political environment, namely the early retirement of the CA medical board’s executive director who has been a long time supporter of home births. With a bill like SB304 looming in the hall of the senate it is no wonder the California Midwives association and the like support AB1308 for the reason of this bill which would move enforcement from the California Medical Board to the Department of Justice.

There is much information to read and learn about this legislation and how it will impact birthing in California. Here are some suggested sites for further study:

http://www.mbc.ca.gov/publications/sunset_report_responses.pdf

(Issues #27-#30 midwifery issues brought to sunset medical board review)

http://www.californiamidwives.org/legislativeupdates?mode=PostView&bmi=1396802

http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB1308

(Bill text)

http://www.cafamiliesformidwives.org/#!about1/c2id

(Analysis from CA Families for Midwives.org)