Massachusetts H5016: An Act promoting and enhancing the sustainability of birth centers and the midwifery workforce

What the bill says

From the introduced text, February 5, 2026:

SECTION 1. Chapter 10 of the General Laws are hereby amended by inserting after section 35TTT the following section:- Section 35UUU. (a) There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund known as the Midwifery Workforce Development Fund. The fund shall be administered by the secretary of the executive office of health and human services in consultation with the advisory committee established pursuant to subsection (d); provided, that the secretary may delegate administration of part or all of the fund to an organization representing certified professional midwives. There shall be credited to the fund: (i) revenue from appropriations or other money authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund; (ii) federal grants and other federal funds designated for maternal health; (iii) interest earned on such revenues; and (iv) all other funds from public and private sources credited or transferred into the fund, including gifts, public or private grants, settlements and donations. Any unexpended balance in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund and shall remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years. No expenditure made from the fund shall cause the fund to become deficient at any point. Any fiscal year-end balance in the fund that is subject …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I) · primary sponsor
• Michelle Badger (D)
• Jeffrey Turco (D, 19th Suffolk)
• Michael Brady (D, Second Plymouth and Norfolk)
• Amy Sangiolo (D)
• Steven Owens (D, 29th Middlesex)
• Michelle DuBois (D, 10th Plymouth)
• Tommy Vitolo (D, 15th Norfolk)
• Joan Lovely (D, Second Essex)
• Erika Uyterhoeven (D, 27th Middlesex)
• James Eldridge (D, Middlesex and Worcester)
• Daniel Cahill (D, 10th Essex)

Latest actions

1. July 22, 2026: Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
2. July 9, 2026: Reporting date extended to Thursday, December 31, 2026
3. February 5, 2026: Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
4. February 5, 2026: New draft of H1117
5. February 5, 2026: Reported from the committee on Financial Services

Votes

• Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Health Care Financing (July 16, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Financial Services (January 12, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is H5016?

H5016 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act promoting and enhancing the sustainability of birth centers and the midwifery workforce.

What is the status of H5016?

In committee as of July 22, 2026. Latest action: Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means (July 22, 2026).

Who sponsored H5016?

Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for H5016?

On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5016