RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Salt-and-peppered legislators on the Health and Human Services committee have been joined by children, strollers and women with baby bumps.

Members of the group Friends of Midwives came to the committee meeting Tuesday because they want to change a law that makes North Carolina one of a handful of states that bars non-nurse midwives.

Bill sponsor Democratic Rep. Winkie Wilkins of Person County says the meeting was possibly the first time the midwifery proponents were able to address House members in the more than 10 years they’ve lobbied for legalization. About two dozen people were left standing in the packed room.

Chairman Mark Hollo, a Republican from Alexander County, says he doesn’t expect the bill to make it to the House floor this session, but felt proponents should be heard.

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