Bill > LB676

This bill modifies the legal framework for certified nurse midwives (CNMs) in Nebraska by eliminating practice agreements and redefining their professional scope and interactions with other healthcare providers. The bill revises key definitions and expands the practice capabilities of CNMs, allowing them to provide a broader range of healthcare services including preconception, prenatal, and postpartum care, gynecological services, primary care for females, and newborn care through 28 days of age. CNMs will now be able to assess patients, order diagnostic tests, prescribe therapeutic measures and medications, dispense sample medications, and even pronounce death and complete death certificates within their scope of practice. The legislation removes previous requirements for direct physician supervision and replaces them with more flexible collaborative, consultative, and referral networks with other healthcare professionals. Additionally, the bill updates the Nebraska Hospital-Medical Liability Act to explicitly include certified nurse midwives as healthcare providers, giving them similar legal protections and recognitions as physicians and other medical professionals. These changes aim to provide CNMs with more professional autonomy while maintaining patient safety through requirements to refer patients to other providers when care needs exceed their specialized expertise.

Health and Social Services

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59164