Bill

Bill > HB1535


MS HB1535

MS HB1535
Midwifery; provide for licensure and regulation of.


summary

Introduced
02/19/2024
In Committee
02/19/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/05/2024

Introduced Session

2024 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An Act To Provide For The Licensure And Regulation Of Professional Midwifery; To Provide Definitions For The Purpose Of The Act; To Provide Exceptions To The Applicability Of The Act; To Provide The Scope Of Practice For Licensed Midwives; To Provide Mandatory Procedures For Licensed Midwives; To Prohibit Licensed Midwives From Certain Actions; To Create The State Board Of Licensed Midwifery And Provide For Its Composition, Appointment And Powers And Duties; To Require The Board To Promulgate Rules Not Later Than July 1, 2026; To Require A License From The Board To Practice Professional Midwifery; To Provide For The Issuance Of Temporary Permits To Practice Pending Qualification For Licensure; To Provide Exemptions From Licensure For Certain Persons; To Provide For The Confidentiality Of Information Maintained By The Board; To Provide Immunity For Certain Actions; To Provide Criminal Penalties For Violations Of This Act; To Prohibit Terminology In Any Health Coverage Plan, Policy Or Contract That Is Discriminatory Against Professional Midwifery; To Require Health Coverage Plans That Provide Maternity Benefits To Provide Coverage For Services Rendered By A Licensed Midwife; To Provide Whenever A Health Coverage Plan Provides For Reimbursement Of Any Services That Are Within The Lawful Scope Of Practice Of Licensed Midwives, The Person Entitled To Benefits Under The Plan Shall Be Entitled To Reimbursement For The Services, Whether The Services Are Performed By A Physician Or A Licensed Midwife; To Require The State Department Of Health To Develop And Institute A Safe Perinatal Transfer Certification For The Facilities That It Regulates; To Amend Section 73-25-33, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Remove The Reference To The Practice Of Midwifery In The Definition Of The Practice Of Medicine; And For Related Purposes.

AI Summary

This bill establishes the "Mississippi Midwifery License Law" to provide for the licensure and regulation of professional midwifery in Mississippi. The key provisions include: - Defining the scope of practice for licensed midwives, including providing primary maternity care to low-risk women and their neonates during normal pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum periods. Midwives can obtain and administer certain medications but cannot prescribe controlled substances. - Creating the Mississippi State Board of Licensed Midwifery to regulate the practice of licensed midwives, including developing educational, licensing, and disciplinary standards. The board must promulgate rules by July 1, 2026. - Requiring a license from the board to practice professional midwifery, with exceptions for certain individuals assisting a licensed midwife or providing uncompensated care to friends/family. The bill also allows for temporary permits to practice pending licensure. - Prohibiting discrimination against professional midwifery in health insurance plans and requiring plans that provide maternity benefits to cover services rendered by licensed midwives. - Directing the state health department to develop a safe perinatal transfer certification for healthcare facilities. The overall purpose is to increase access to midwifery care in community settings, improve maternal and infant health outcomes, and preserve parental choice in the birthing process.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Died In Committee (on 03/05/2024)

Bill Topics

Health
  • ‐ Health Insurance Reform
  • ‐ Maternal Health
  • ‐ Regulation of Health-Related Occupations and Services

bill text


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