Legislation creating a system for licensing midwives has been signed into law. Senate Bill 1823, creating Shepherd’s Law, was signed into law by Gov. Stitt.
Certified Professional Midwives are already regulated in 34 other states.
Under SB1823, a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) or Certified Midwife (CM) would be required to be licensed. All midwives would be required to disclose what credentials or licensure they may have, their limitation of skills and whether they carry malpractice insurance. An informed consent document would include information on the midwife’s plan for emergencies and complications and gives parents the ability to pre-select a hospital in case of an emergency.
Licensed midwives would be required to advise clients to seek medical care for pregnancies outside their scope of practice and to call for emergency assistance in situations that fall outside their scope of practice. The $1,000 license would be good for three years.