Bill > HB4747

This bill establishes the Certified Professional Midwife Licensing and Regulation Act, creating a framework for licensing and regulating Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in West Virginia. The act defines key terms such as "midwife care" as providing primary maternity care consistent with North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) standards, and "collaboration" as jointly managing client care with an obstetrical provider. To obtain a license, applicants must be at least 18, have a high school diploma, complete NARM-approved education, hold a valid CPM credential from NARM, and pay a fee. Licenses are valid for two years and require renewal, including proof of current NARM certification and participation in perinatal outcome data submission. The bill also outlines grounds for license denial, revocation, or suspension, including fraud, negligence, or practicing outside the scope of NARM or National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM) guidelines. It clarifies that the act does not prohibit emergency care or certain supervised tasks by apprentices, and allows licensed midwives to order medical tests, devices, and necessary medications, with specific limitations on controlled substances. Licensed midwives are responsible for risk assessment, including consulting with obstetrical providers for certain conditions, and must have plans for emergency transfers to higher levels of care, maintaining detailed medical records in compliance with HIPAA. The bill also addresses newborn care up to six weeks and establishes that only the licensed midwife is liable for their own actions, with exceptions for subsequent independent negligence or business relationships.

Government Affairs

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4747&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill