The civic record

Read. Follow. Verify.

HB 129ALABAMASession 2026rsState Billin committee

Alabama HB 129 authorizes licensed midwives to administer newborn health screening tests

Original title: Midwives; administration of certain newborn screening tests authorized

Last action · January 13, 2026: Pending Committee Action in House of OriginSponsor: Marilyn Lands

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

Public stanceCommunity reactions are separate from the official record and reporting.

What This Bill Would Do

Licensed midwives are newly authorized to administer newborn disease screening tests to in their care, effective October 1, 2026. Under existing law, midwives were only required to order these screening tests under the Alabama Department of Public Health program.

Why it matters

Expands the direct clinical scope of practice for out-of-hospital birth attendants, allowing licensed midwives to perform physical screenings on newborns directly rather than solely ordering them.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Licensed midwives

Licensed midwives gain the legal authority to administer newborn screening tests rather than only ordering them.

Directly affected

Neonates

Neonates in the care of licensed midwives may receive health screening tests directly from their birth attendant.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What new authority does HB 129 grant to licensed midwives?

HB 129 authorizes licensed midwives to both order and administer newborn screening tests required by the Alabama Department of Public Health.

When does this change take effect?

The act becomes effective on October 1, 2026.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Follow the record

Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

2 actions

Jan 13, 2026HouseCommittee
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroduced
Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Health

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Connected Entities

State Board of Health, Alabama Department of Public Health, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and 1 more

OrganizationState Board of Health“Adopts rules relating to the newborn screening program.”Map →

OrganizationAlabama Department of Public Health“Oversees the Newborn Screening Program and health reporting requirements.”Map →

OrganizationAmerican Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists“Provides statements on the safety of midwifery care in out-of-hospital settings.”Map →

OrganizationMidwives Alliance of North America Statistics Project“Collects clinical data for clients who initiate care with a licensed midwife.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

alison.legislature.state.al.us

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance40
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level

Publisher tools