HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1773

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed House:

March 11, 2013

Title: An act relating to the practice of midwifery.

Brief Description: Concerning the practice of midwifery.

Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Morrell, Rodne, Cody, Green, Ryu, Liias, Farrell and Santos).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care & Wellness: 2/21/13, 2/22/13 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/11/13, 93-4.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill

  • Requires the Secretary of Health to write rules to bridge the gap between national and state requirements for midwives.

  • Imposes requirements for license renewal for midwives.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 16 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Jinkins, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Hope, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Angel, Clibborn, Green, Manweller, Moeller, Morrell, Riccelli, Rodne, Ross, Short, Tharinger and Van De Wege.

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

A licensed midwife renders medical care for compensation to a woman during prenatal, intrapartum, and post-partum stages. In order to be licensed, a midwife must:

Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill:

The Secretary of Health (Secretary) must write rules to bridge the gap between requirements of national certification of certified professional midwives and state requirements for licensure for licensed midwives.

A licensed midwife must renew his or her license according to the following requirements:

The Secretary must write rules regarding the renewal process and the Department of Health's process for verification of the third-party data submission.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Licensed midwives currently provide care for newborns and should be paid for doing so. Midwives provide savings to the state by cutting down on the number of unnecessary caesarian sections. This bill will help alleviate provider shortages and add diversity to the profession by breaking the log jam for licensing midwives who are nationally certified. Women should be able to choose a midwife and choose to become a midwife. High fees are a barrier to entry to this profession.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Morrell, prime sponsor; Audrey Levine and Jodilyn Owen, Midwives' Association of Washington State; Tinneca Krogh; and Michael Wilson, Libertarian Party of Washington.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.