FINAL BILL REPORT

 

 

                                   SSB 5163

 

 

                                  C 467 L 87

 

 

BYSenate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senator Wojahn)

 

 

Changing provisions relating to midwives.

 

 

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

 

 

House Committe on Health Care

 

 

                              SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

 

BACKGROUND:

 

The Legislative Budget Committee (LBC) conducted a sunset review of the Midwifery Advisory Committee, including those functions of the Department of Licensing relating to midwifery (Chapter 18.50 RCW).  Midwifery is defined as the care of women before, during, and immediately following childbirth.  The review concluded that significant public health and safety risks are associated with the misdiagnosis and mistreatment of many pregnancy related conditions.  The Legislative Budget Committee recommended that the state continue licensure of this profession.

 

SUMMARY:

 

The Department of Licensing, in consultation with the Department of Social and Health Services and the Midwifery Advisory Committee, is directed to conduct a study to analyze birth outcomes by non-licensed practitioners, and to determine the role of non-licensed practitioners in the provision of maternity services in the state.  The results of the study shall be presented to the Legislature in January, 1988.

 

The Midwifery Advisory Committee is reauthorized.  Vitamin K and Rho immune globulin (human) are added to the statutory list of drugs midwives may use.  The Department of Licensing is directed to establish rules to grant credit toward licensure for documented deliveries and relevant experience of unlicensed midwives or midwives licensed in other states.

 

The Director of Licensing, after consultation with representatives of the Midwifery Advisory Committee, the Board of Pharmacy and the Medical Examiner Board, is directed to issue regulations which authorize licensed midwives to purchase and use legend drugs and devices in addition to those already authorized in statute.

 

The length of the terms of the members of the Midwifery Advisory Committee is extended from two to five years.

 

Technical changes are made to the chapter to clearly define a licensed physician.

 

During any biennium, the Department of Licensing may not increase fees for midwives by more than $100 or 50 percent, whichever is greater.

 

 

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

 

      Senate    46     0

      House 98   0 (House amended)

      Senate             (Senate refused to concur)

      House              (House refused to recede)

 

       Free Conference Committee

      House 92   0

      Senate    45     0

 

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987