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HB 128

Board of Midwifery; authorized to accept gifts and grants

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marilyn Lands

Alabama's Board of Midwifery gains authority to accept gifts and grants, potentially increasing funding but raising questions about regulatory independence and donor influence.

Enacted
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Bill Summary · HB 128

Legislative bill overview

HB 128 authorizes Alabama's Board of Midwifery to accept gifts, grants, and donations to support its operations and regulatory functions. This is a procedural authorization bill that expands the board's funding mechanisms beyond its standard state appropriations.

Why is this important

The Board of Midwifery regulates midwifery practice and licensure in Alabama, directly affecting healthcare access and quality standards. Allowing the board to accept external funding could increase resources for licensing, enforcement, and professional standards without requiring additional state budget allocations—though it also introduces potential conflicts of interest depending on donor sources.

Potential points of contention

  • Donor influence concerns: Accepting gifts and grants from private entities (including healthcare corporations, medical associations, or midwifery organizations) could create perceived or actual bias in regulatory decisions
  • Transparency and accountability: The bill may lack explicit requirements about donor disclosure, fund tracking, or restrictions on conditional gifts that could influence board independence
  • Regulatory capture risk: Industry-funded regulatory boards have historically faced criticism for becoming too aligned with the regulated entities rather than public protection

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

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