Committee reports resolution recognizing Black Midwives Day after debate on inclusivity

The House Children and Youth Committee reported House Resolution 450, designating March 31, 2026, as Black Midwives Day in Pennsylvania and noting support from the Pennsylvania affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives.

Representative Mays, sponsor of the resolution, described the historical role of Black midwives and linked their work to better maternal outcomes, urging the committee’s support. "Their knowledge, their education, their training, their presence, their leadership saves lives," Mays said.

Chairwoman Klunk and Representative Mackenzie each announced they would vote no, arguing the committee should honor all midwives rather than one group. Klunk said she preferred the resolution be referred to committees she considered more directly relevant and that an earlier agenda item to designate Child Abuse Prevention Month had been removed from the voting agenda.

Representative Curry and others pushed back, citing maternal-mortality disparities in Pennsylvania and nationally. "Black moms in this commonwealth are 2 times more likely to die compared to white moms," Curry said, and argued the resolution calls attention and accountability to address persistent disparities.

Brooke conducted the roll call. The transcript records a complex count with the chair announcing "the ayes are 15 to 15 to 10" and the committee reported the resolution as committed. The transcript does not provide a clear mover/second for the motion to report; the transcript records several members voting both yes and no during a contested roll call and procedural interruptions. The committee did not adopt any amendments during discussion.