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Bill > HB142

MS HB142

MS HB142
Midwifery; provide for licensure and regulation of.

summary

Introduced
01/07/2026
In Committee
01/07/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026

Introduced Session

2026 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, 2027; 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 midwives practicing in community settings, aiming to improve maternal and infant health outcomes by increasing access to midwifery care and preserving parental choice in birth options. It creates the State Board of Licensed Midwifery, composed of midwives, a certified nurse midwife, physicians, and a public representative, which will be responsible for developing rules and standards for licensure, including educational requirements and scope of practice, by July 1, 2027. The bill defines "professional midwifery" as primary maternity care for low-risk women and newborns during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period, and outlines specific procedures licensed midwives can perform, such as administering certain medications and ordering tests, while prohibiting others like surgical procedures or the use of forceps. It also includes provisions for temporary permits for those awaiting full licensure, exemptions for certain individuals like certified nurse midwives and physicians, and establishes penalties for violations, including fines and imprisonment. Furthermore, the bill mandates that health insurance plans providing maternity benefits must cover services rendered by licensed midwives without discriminatory terminology or reimbursement practices, and requires the State Department of Health to develop a safe perinatal transfer certification for facilities. Finally, it amends existing law to remove the reference to midwifery from the definition of the practice of medicine, clarifying that midwifery is a distinct profession.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)

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