Last week, the South Dakota House of Representatives passed legislation designed to create a licensure board for Certified Professional Midwives. The bill comes after 25 years of efforts on the part of South Dakota home birth advocates, including South Dakota Birth Matters.

The bill passed with more than the two-thirds majority needed to override a gubernatorial veto, so advocates are hopeful that the bill will become law and go into effect on July 1st. According to South Dakota Birth Matters, the next step will be for the Governor to appoint a five person board, followed by the rulemaking process.

Learn more here and join us in congratulating South Dakota!