| SUMMARY OF: | Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives |
Purpose of the Report
The audit was performed to determine if there is a continued need for the board and if its termination date should be extended. The board is set to sunset on June 30, 2025, and will have one year from that date to conclude its administrative operations.
Report Conclusions
The audit concluded that the board served the public’s interest by conducting its meetings in accordance with state law and actively amending regulations to enhance public safety and improve the certification process. The audit also concluded that the board generally certified midwives in compliance with state law, but documentation improvements were needed. Furthermore, the audit found the board did not audit compliance with certification renewal requirements in a timely manner.
In accordance with AS 08.03.010(c)(8), the board is scheduled to terminate on June 30, 2025. We recommend that the legislature extend the board’s termination date six years to June 30, 2031, which is two years less than the maximum allowed by statute. The reduced extension reflects the need for more routine oversight of the board in light of the audit findings.
Findings and Recommendations
- The Office of the Governor, Boards and Commissions director should work with the board to identify potential applicants to fill board seats in a timely manner.
- Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing’s (DCBPL) director should improve training to ensure certifications are supported by adequate documentation, and board members should adequately review applications prior to approval.
- DCCED’s commissioner should work with policymakers to improve the recruitment and retention of DCBPL licensing staff.