HOUSE BILL REPORT
2SHB 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 Legislature
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], 1/23/14 [DP2S].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/11/13, 93-4.
Passed House: 2/17/14, 91-5.
Passed Senate: 3/7/14, 49-0.
Passed Legislature.
Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS |
Majority Report: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass. Signed by 17 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Riccelli, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Harris, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Clibborn, DeBolt, Green, G. Hunt, Jinkins, Manweller, Moeller, Morrell, Rodne, Ross, Short, Tharinger and Van De Wege.
Staff: Alexa Silver (786-7190).
Background:
A licensed midwife renders medical care for compensation to a woman during prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum stages. To be licensed, a midwife must:
have a high school education;
be at least 21 years of age;
possess a certificate or diploma from a midwifery program;
obtain a minimum of three years of midwifery training;
meet minimum educational requirements;
for a student midwife during training, undertake the care of at least 50 women in each of the prenatal, intrapartum, and early postpartum periods;
observe an additional 50 women in the intrapartum period; and
pass an examination.
Legislation enacted in 2012 permitted registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to practice and administer medications, treatments, tests, and inoculations at the direction of a licensed midwife.
In December 2013 the Department of Health published a draft sunrise review of midwifery scope of practice. The sunrise review recommended that the practice of midwifery include rendering medical aid for compensation to a newborn up to two weeks of age and that "medical aid" be defined in rule.
Summary of Second Substitute Bill:
The practice of midwifery includes rendering medical aid for compensation to a newborn up to two weeks of age.
Midwives may delegate to a registered nurse or licensed practice nurse midwifery tasks that do not exceed the nurse's education.
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.
A licensed midwife must renew his or her license according to the following requirements:
completion of a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education every three years;
proof of participation in a Washington coordinated quality improvement program;
proof of participation in data submission on perinatal outcomes to a national or state research organization; and
fees determined by the Secretary.
The Secretary must write rules regarding the renewal process and the Department of Health's process for verifying 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:
See House Bill Report in the 2013 Regular Session.
Persons Testifying: See House Bill Report in the 2013 Regular Session.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: See House Bill Report in the 2013 Regular Session.