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Bill > HB927

MS HB927

MS HB927
Midwifery; provide for licensure and regulation of.

summary

Introduced
01/17/2025
In Committee
02/18/2025
Crossed Over
02/13/2025
Passed
Dead
03/04/2025

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
2025 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 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 Clarify That The Practice Of Midwifery Is Not Considered To Be The Practice Of Medicine; And For Related Purposes.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a comprehensive legal framework for licensing and regulating professional midwifery in Mississippi, creating a State Board of Licensed Midwifery to oversee the profession. The bill defines professional midwifery as primary maternity care for low-risk women during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum periods, emphasizing a patient-centered approach that views birth as a normal physiological process. Licensed midwives will be permitted to provide care in community settings, with specific practice parameters that include consulting with other healthcare providers and referring clients to higher levels of care when necessary. The bill creates a nine-member board responsible for developing licensing requirements, educational standards, and disciplinary procedures, and establishes that midwives cannot perform surgical procedures beyond episiotomies or perineal repairs. The legislation also requires health insurance plans to provide coverage for midwifery services at the same rate as physician services, starting January 1, 2026, and aims to increase access to midwifery care while preserving parental choice in childbirth. Importantly, the bill explicitly states that midwifery is a distinct profession and not the practice of medicine, and seeks to address Mississippi's challenges with maternal and infant health outcomes by integrating professional midwives into the state's healthcare system.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (4)

Last Action

Died In Committee (on 03/04/2025)

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