STATE INITIATIVES
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As part of our state initiatives, NATBR conducts targeted legal and policy assessments of each state’s framework governing pregnancy, maternal health, home birth, traditional midwifery, and informed consent, evaluating both hospital and out-of-hospital practice climates, enforcement patterns, and institutional barriers to family choice. We identify and strengthen strategic allies, including those who serve in less visible but influential roles, building coordinated state-to-state networks of legal, clinical, and policy support. We assist in drafting formal letters, policy memoranda, and proposed statutory amendments to advance birth freedom, protect traditional midwifery, and reinforce constitutional safeguards surrounding parental rights and bodily autonomy.
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Under our State Initiatives regarding Pennsylvania’s SB507, we have actively engaged the legislative process at multiple levels: introducing proposed amendment language on more than one occasion, retaining attorneys to analyze and interpret the bill’s statutory implications, and participating in direct meetings with the bill’s authors, including the introducing senator, to clarify intent and address concerns affecting traditional midwifery and family choice. These efforts remain ongoing, with continued dialogue aimed at securing meaningful protections. In parallel, we are advancing public awareness through coordinated media engagement, including an upcoming news feature already scheduled with a journalist to examine the bill’s impact on birth rights and traditional midwifery in Pennsylvania.
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A formal policy letter and proposed amendment language, grounded in Birth Freedom principles and the protection of traditional midwifery, were submitted to senior executive health officials within the State of Florida.. The framework was received with strong interest and reported enthusiasm at the state executive level, reflecting meaningful openness to language centered on constitutional protections, parental rights, and the preservation of traditional midwifery practice.
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The panel brings together midwives, physicians, legal professionals, policy analysts, scholars, and maternal health advocates to ensure that proposed language, strategy, and public positioning are informed by clinical experience, constitutional analysis, and practical realities on the ground. Its purpose is not symbolic endorsement, but substantive review, data evaluation, strategic planning, and broad representation across modalities of maternal care. Participation is voluntary and issue-specific, designed to strengthen the integrity, credibility, and depth of the state initiative while maintaining independent professional judgment among its members. This panel meets weekly.
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State initiatives begin when a state leader submits a formal interest form outlining current laws, enforcement issues, and key concerns affecting birth rights. From there, we provide a structured launch template that walks them through identifying relevant statutes, evaluating the legal climate, and choosing an appropriate organizational structure, whether informal coalition or incorporated entity. We assist in forming a state-specific advisory panel, connect leaders with vetted attorneys, lobbyists, media contacts, and aligned freedom-based organizations, and provide strategic guidance for messaging, amendment drafting, and legislative engagement. Each state remains independently led, but is equipped with national-level strategy, infrastructure, and coordination to build a serious, durable movement.
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If you would like NATBR to come to your state to speak, organize, or assist in launching a formal state initiative, submit a written request outlining your current legislative climate, key concerns, and desired level of engagement. Speaking engagements, strategic planning sessions, and on-the-ground organizing support are available by request and coordinated based on scope and readiness. Send inquiries to info@natbr.org and request speaking or organizing engagement in the subject line.
Interested in helping YOUR state Protect Traditional Midwifery & initiate Birth Freedom ?
Fill out the form below for info on state chapters and support.