The midwifery modernization bill. Pennsylvania Legislative Update – SB507

Direct entry midwifery, including traditional and religious apprenticeship-trained practice, remains without a licensure pathway in Pennsylvania. These midwives currently operate in legal vulnerability.

SB507, which passed the Pennsylvania Senate in October 2025, would expand State Board of Medicine jurisdiction and formally define midwifery in a way that excludes traditional practitioners. As written, the bill removes remaining legal ambiguity and increases criminal exposure for community-based midwives.

The legislation advanced without meaningful representation from traditional or religious midwives. There was no broad public consensus process and no structured inclusion of the practitioners most directly affected. Thousands of families served by community midwives were not represented in the drafting of this framework.

The bill is currently sitting in the House.

Following introduction of placeholder language, the Midwifery Relations Coalition, through coordination with NATBR, drafted and submitted alternative amendment language to House leadership and relevant committee chairs. That language seeks to correct representation gaps, protect constitutional considerations, and prevent unintended criminalization of longstanding practice.

We await further action.

Through coordinated efforts with NATBR, MRC has:

• Organized recurring advisory panel discussions composed of midwives, legal professionals, physicians, and community representatives
• Collected testimony, professional statements, and regulatory impact reports
• Compiled data for review in connection with state and federal initiatives
• Submitted structured feedback and proposed language for consideration in ongoing legislative discussions