About

The Hawaiʻi Home Birth Task Force was constituted and convened on July 8th, 2019, pursuant to Senate Bill 1033 SD2, HD2, that was signed into law as Act 32, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 2019, on April 30, 2019. Act 32, establishes the licensure of midwives under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, appropriates funds; exempts birth attendants and Native Hawaiian healers from licensure requirements; and establishes a task force under the Hawaiʻi State Commission on the status of Women.

Act 32 specifies that the task force shall have no more than twelve members including the director of commerce and consumer affairs, the director of health or the director’s designee; a representative from the Hawaiʻi section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a representative of the Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi, and members recommended by the Hawaiʻi Home Birth Collective that represent the following groups: certified nurse midwife; certified professional midwife; home birth elder; traditional or cultural birth attender; and a member of the public that has used home birth services.

Act 32 Sec. (e) directs “the task force to investigate issues relating to direct entry midwives and home births. The investigation shall include but not be limited to the following:

(1) Data collection and reporting on home births;

(2) Definitions, Education and training of direct entry midwives; and

(3) Regulation of direct entry midwives”

The Hawaiʻi Home Birth Task Force welcomes public comments both in writing and during its public meetings during the allocated agenda time. Please address your emailed written comments, 100 words/one page to:

Hawaiihomebirthtaskforce@gmail.com prior to scheduled meetings. Please see links below for further information. Meetings are held at the State Capitol, Conference room 312.

 

the final Hawaii Home Birth Task Force Report and findings can be found here

The Hawai’i Commission on the status of women’s commitment to the revitalization midwifery and the end of white supremacy in Hawai’i can be found here

Maui County Committee on the status of Women statement of support can be found Here

maui county resolution can be found here

Act 32 and Perpetuating Practices of Hawaiʻi Nā Pua o Haumea: How Hawaiʻi’s Midwifery Licensure Law Adversely Impacts Traditional Native Hawaiian Birthing Practices by Harley Broyles can be found here

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