A 5404Establishes "Midwifery Licensing Act."

Latest change summary

+6777 / −802 words · LargeConfidence: high

This version adds comprehensive statutory language establishing the Midwifery Licensing Act, replacing fiscal analysis text with substantive provisions. The bill creates an 11-member State Board of Midwifery to replace the existing Midwifery Liaison Committee under the State Board of Medical Examiners, with members serving without compensation, meeting quarterly, and holding staggered initial terms. It establishes licensing frameworks for certified midwives, certified nurse midwives, and certified professional midwives with biennial renewal, continuing education requirements including implicit bias training, and scope of practice standards aligned with professional association guidelines. The legislation mandates consulting physician agreements with written clinical guidelines, professional liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence and $3 million per policy year, patient disclosure requirements, and annual reporting on out-of-hospital births starting July 2027. The bill integrates the State Board of Midwifery into existing professional licensing statutes, removes the certified nurse midwife position from the State Board of Medical Examiners (reducing that board from 21 to 20 members), and includes a grandfather clause automatically licensing existing midwives under the new framework.