Bill > HB1328

This bill continues and expands Hawaii's licensing program for midwives, focusing on certified midwives (CMs) and certified professional midwives (CPMs) while acknowledging the broader landscape of birth practitioners. The bill provides a comprehensive framework for midwifery licensure, defining detailed scopes of practice for licensed midwives, and allowing them to perform various medical tasks such as ordering tests, conducting physical examinations, and in some cases prescribing medications. Notably, the legislation creates a midwives licensing advisory committee to help implement the program and re-establishes a home birth task force to provide recommendations on home birth practices. The bill explicitly recognizes the cultural significance of birth practices and includes exemptions for traditional birth attendants, Native Hawaiian healing practices, and family caregivers. It requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to oversee licensing, mandate annual reporting, and ensure that health insurance plans reimburse licensed midwives for services within their scope of practice. The bill aims to balance professional regulation with cultural sensitivity, recognizing the diverse ways people approach childbirth while maintaining standards of safety and competence. The home birth task force is set to dissolve on June 30, 2026, after submitting a report to the legislature with its findings and recommendations.

Health and Social Services, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1328&year=2026