Legislative Updates 2024

The State of Hawaii is being sued by the center for reproductive rights and the Native Hawaiian legal corporation over the inaction in correcting the unjust midwifery restriction law, HRS-457J, passed in 2019. each year since the law’s inception, bills have been crafted by hihbc and other community stakeholders and the state of Hawaii has continually stopped the progress of these historically important actions to support human rights and a family’s right to choose where and with whom they want to birth their children.

The court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and filed a temporary injunction to block parts of HRS-457j, to allow hawaiian traditional midwives to continue to perpetuate their practices without the threat of criminalization. a supreme court hearing is scheduled in early 2026 and will move forward if the state of hawaii does not find a solution to the oppression of traditional hawaiian birthing practices.

Midwifery News 2024

March 3, 2024 Honolulu Star Advertiser Article below, regarding the lawsuit against the State of Hawaii for the Midwifery Restriction Law passed in 2019.

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