DAILY LEGISLATIVE REPORT

Bill on midwives passes House and Senate

The legislature seeks to replace the term "mother" with "gestational parent"

Substitute Senate Bill 5765heard on the Senate Floor on February 14 concerns about midwife duty expansion to include abortion.
Troy Kirby
Posted

The 2022 Washington State Legislature dealt with the subject of the practice of midwifery with Substitute Senate Bill 5765. The bill was heard on the Senate Floor on February 14 where concerns about midwife duty expansion to abortion were voiced during the debate. 

This bill expands the services that can be legally offered by licensed midwives in Washington. It also accommodates transgender individuals who are pregnant and seeking prenatal and postpartum services by modifying the language used to describe individuals who are seeking such services.

The bill passed the Senate on February 14 with a vote of 27-20, moving onto the House floor, where it was debated it became a referendum on the use of gendered language in the bill.

The bill passed the House on March 3 by a vote of 61-37, moving onto the Governor’s office for an opportunity to be signed into law.

Read more about SSB 5765.

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