Alabama State Board of Midwifery Special/Called Meeting Minutes
The Alabama State Board of Midwifery met on Monday, August 15, 2020, to conduct business. Board members present included (1) Ms. Noel Leithart(Chair), (2) Mr. Chris Megginson (member), (3) Ms. Christine Litas (member), (4) Ms. Laura Reeder (member), (5) Ms. Stephanie Armstead (member), (6) Ms. Layla Brown (member). Absent from the meeting was (1) Dr. Joyce Loyd-Davis (member). Also present was Mr. Brad Chynoweth, attorney to the Board.
The members of the public that were in attendance were Rebekah Myrick (midwife) and Matt Hart (attorney for the Board of Medical Examiners).
The Board meeting had been advertised on the Secretary of State’s website, in accordance with the Alabama Open Meetings Act. With a quorum of board members present, Ms. Leithart called the meeting to order at 6:02pm.
The meeting was called to discuss a response to the Proposed Rules by Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) governing birth centers, as published in Volume XL , Issue 10 of the July 29, 2022 edition of the Alabama Administrative Monthly.
Ms. Brown made a motion to go into Executive Session for 60 minutes to discuss the legal ramifications of the Rules and Regulations proposed by ADPH in regards to birth centers. Motion was certified by Mr. Chynoweth and seconded by Mr. Megginson. Roll call vote: Brown, aye; Armstead, aye; Litas, aye; Reeder, aye; Megginson, aye. Motion carried, and the Board entered executive session at 6:10pm.
Since members of the general public were available, Mr. Megginson motioned early to re-enter the general session. Seconded by Ms. Brown. Roll call vote: Brown, aye; Armstead, aye; Litas, aye; Reeder, aye; Megginson, aye. Motion carried, and the Board entered general session at 7:03pm.
Discussion ensued regarding the statutory authority of ADPH to implement rules that exclude licensed midwives from attending births in free-standing birth centers. Mr. Megginson brought up the issues regarding invalid responses to the yes/no questions on the Alabama Procedures Act Transmittal Sheet for Notice of Intended Action form attached to the proposed rules. Mr. Megginson made a motion for Ms. Leithart and Mr. Chynoweth to draft a response to be submitted verbally, and in writing, to ADPH regarding their proposed rules and regulations for birth centers with the recommendation that ADPH withdraw the rules. Seconded by Ms. Reeder. An oral vote was taken. All members present were in favor, with none opposed.
With no further business to discuss and no comments from the public, Ms. Brown made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Reeder seconded the motion. It passed unanimously. Ms. Leithart adjourned the meeting at 7:20pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Noel Leithart, Chair
Leave a Reply