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HR 591

Black Midwives Day; March 14, 2025; recognize

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Bennett and 4 co-sponsors

Designates March 14, 2025 as Black Midwives Day to honor Black midwives and raise awareness of racial disparities in maternal health, a symbolic, nonbinding recognition.

House Second Readers
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Bill Summary · HR 591

Summary — H.R. 591: “Black Midwives Day; March 14, 2025; recognize”

Status: House Resolution (introduced Jan 21, 2025) — adopted by the House (recorded actions through Apr 17, 2025); reported enrolled

Purpose / Intent

H.R. 591 designates March 14, 2025, as “Black Midwives Day.” The resolution seeks to raise awareness of the role of Black midwives, highlight their historical and contemporary contributions to maternal and family health, and draw attention to disparities in Black maternal health outcomes. It endorses the goals of the National Black Midwives Alliance’s Black Midwives Day campaign (founded 2023) to advance awareness, education, community-building, and policy advocacy.

Key provisions

  • Officially recognizes March 14, 2025, as Black Midwives Day.
  • Enumerates findings about:
    • The importance of midwifery in improving maternal health and holistic care.
    • The historical persecution and erasure of community Black midwives, and the contemporary resurgence of Black midwifery.
    • Disproportionately high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality among Black birthing people, and the role of structural racism, gender oppression, and social determinants of health in those disparities.
    • Benefits of culturally congruent, justice-informed care models (including midwifery) and the need for equitable distribution of reproductive health resources.
  • Venerates and honors past and present Black midwives for their contributions to maternal health and family well‑being.
  • Directs the Clerk of the House to make copies of the resolution available to the public and the press.

Who would be affected

  • The resolution is symbolic and non‑binding; it does not create new laws, authorize spending, or change regulatory requirements.
  • Primary beneficiaries in a practical sense are: Black midwives (recognition and visibility), Black birthing people and families (increased awareness of disparities and care models), community advocates, health providers, and policymakers who may use the resolution to support related advocacy or policy initiatives.

Potential impact

  • Raises national attention to Black maternal health disparities and the role of midwifery, potentially supporting advocacy, education, and local/state observances.
  • May strengthen efforts by organizations (e.g., National Black Midwives Alliance) to remove barriers to midwifery education and access and to influence future policy or funding priorities.
  • Has no direct regulatory or budgetary effect.

Sponsors and procedural timeline

  • Primary sponsors listed include Jason Smith, Carolyn Hugley, Park Cannon, Tanya Miller, Karen Bennett, and Kim Schofield; numerous additional cosponsors are recorded.
  • Key dates:
    • Introduced: Jan 21, 2025
    • House First Readers: Mar 18, 2025
    • House Second Readers: Mar 20, 2025
    • Placed on Congratulatory & Memorial Resolution Calendar and laid before the House: Apr 17, 2025
    • Adopted by the House and reported enrolled: Apr 17–21, 2025

Note: As a resolution recognizing a day, H.R. 591 is primarily declarative and intended to promote awareness rather than to impose legal requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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