Bill > H1998

This bill establishes a regulatory framework for certified professional midwives (CPMs) in Massachusetts, defining their practice and setting standards for licensure. It creates a Committee on Midwifery, appointed by the governor and including midwives, physicians, and public members, to oversee the licensing process. The bill outlines qualifications for midwives, including age, education, and a credential from the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM), and establishes requirements for apprentice midwives. It also details the scope of practice for midwives, emphasizing that their practice is distinct from medicine and nurse-midwifery, and specifies conditions under which they can administer certain medications. The bill includes provisions for disciplinary actions, informed consent requirements for clients, and emergency care protocols, while also providing protections for healthcare providers assisting in emergencies arising from midwife care and penalties for unlicensed practice. Finally, it sets timelines for the committee to establish regulations and begin issuing licenses, and includes provisions for individuals already practicing midwifery before the new regulations take effect.