Bill > HB5501

This bill establishes a licensing and regulatory framework for Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in West Virginia, defining terms such as "client" (patient), "collaboration" (joint management of care), and "CPM" (Certified Professional Midwife credential). To become a Licensed Midwife (LM), an applicant must be at least 18, have a high school diploma, hold a current CPM credential from the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM), and have completed an accredited midwifery education program or a portfolio evaluation process. Licenses are valid for two years and require renewal, including proof of current NARM certification and participation in data submission on perinatal outcomes. The bill outlines grounds for license denial, revocation, or suspension, such as fraud, felony conviction, or practicing outside the defined scope of practice, and establishes penalties for unlicensed practice, including fines. It also details responsibilities for licensed midwives, including risk assessment, emergency transfer plans, maintaining accurate medical records in compliance with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), and newborn care up to six weeks. The bill includes transitional provisions for individuals already holding a CPM credential and affirms a client's right to make decisions about their care, including informed refusal of recommended interventions or transfers, while ensuring midwives act with reasonable skill and judgment.

Health and Social Services

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5501&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill