SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5163

BYSenator Wojahn

Changing provisions relating to midwives.

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 20, 1987; February 9, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5163 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Wojahn, Chairman; Stratton, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Deccio, Johnson, Kiskaddon, Kreidler, Tanner.

Senate Staff:Scott Plack (786-7409)

                  February 9, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS, FEBRUARY 9, 1987

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 recommendations in the sunset report of the Legislative Budget Committee are implemented.  The Midwifery Advisory Committee is reauthorized.  Vitamin K and RhoGam 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.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The Department of Social and Health Services and the Department of Licensing are 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 Director of Licensing, after consultation, 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.

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

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Bob Jacobs, LBC; Don Williams, Pharmacy Board; Cathryn Ferel, Association for Childbirth; Diane Simon, Association for Childbirth; Sandy Wixson, Lay Midwife Association; Peggy Doyle; Martha Butgen, Midwifes Association of Washington; Mike Ryherd, WSMA; Joanne Myers