A4281

An Act concerning the regulation of midwives and revising various parts of the statutory law and supplementing Title 45 of the Revised Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. (New section) P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) shall be known and may be cited as the “Midwifery Licensing Act.”

2. (New section) The Legislature finds and declares that:

a. The public interest requires the establishment of a modern regulatory framework for the practice of midwifery in this State.

b. Midwives play a vital role in improving maternal and infant health.

c. Research has shown that access to midwifery services significantly reduces the rate of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, particularly for vulnerable communities, yet many of the statutory provisions governing the practice of midwifery in the State date back to the late 19th century.

d. Midwifery practice continues to be regulated by the State Board of Medical Examiners rather than by an independent midwifery licensing board.

e. In light of the expansion of midwifery practice and the urgent need to address New Jersey’s unusually high levels of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, it is necessary to establish a new regulatory framework for the practice of midwifery in this State.

3. (New section) As used in P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill):

“Board” means the State Board of Midwives established pursuant to section 4 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

“Certified midwife” or “CM” means a person who has been certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board, or any of its successors, as a certified midwife.

“Certified nurse midwife” or “CNM” means a registered nurse who has been certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board, or any of its successors, as a certified nurse midwife.

“Certified professional midwife” or “CPM” means a person who has been certified by the North American Registry of Midwives, or any of its successors.

“Director” means the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety.

“Licensee” means any person who holds a license from the board to practice as a midwife.

“Midwife” means a person licensed by the board as a certified midwife (CM), certified nurse midwife (CNM), or certified professional midwife (CPM).

“Midwifery services” means care for childbearing persons during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, the provision of gynecological care and primary preventive reproductive care, and care for newborn infants in the early weeks of life consistent with the midwife’s education and certification. “Midwifery services” shall also include, with respect to a certified midwife or a certified nurse midwife, primary care for individuals with female reproductive systems.

4. (New section) There is created in the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety the State Board of Midwifery. The board shall consist of 11 members, one of whom shall be a public member appointed pursuant to the provisions of subsection b. of section 2 of P.L.1971, c.60 (C.45:1-2.2) and one of whom shall be a member of the Executive Branch appointed in fulfillment of the requirement of subsection c. of that section; one of whom shall be a physician who is certified by either the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, or any other certification organization of comparable standards, or one of whom shall be a physician who practices family medicine; and one of whom shall be a physician who practices pediatrics. The seven remaining members shall be midwives, at least one of whom shall be a midwifery educator.

The Governor shall appoint each member, other than the State executive department member, for terms of three years, except that of the members first appointed, five shall serve for a term of three years, four shall serve for terms of two years and three shall serve for terms of one year. Any vacancy in the membership shall be filled for the unexpired term in the manner provided by the original appointment. No member of the board shall serve for more than two successive terms in addition to any unexpired term to which the member has been appointed. The Governor may remove any member of the board, other than the State executive department member who, pursuant to subsection c. of section 2 of P.L.1971, c.60 (C.45:1-2.2), serves at the pleasure of the Governor, for cause.

5. (New section) Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, the members of the board shall serve without compensation and shall not be entitled to receive any pension or health benefits based upon their service as a board member but, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1977, c.285 (C.45:1-2.5), shall be reimbursed for expenses and provided with office and meeting facilities.

6. (New section) a. The board shall organize within 30 days after the appointment of its members and shall annually elect from among its members a chairperson and vice-chairperson.

b. The chairperson shall preside at all board meetings and perform all duties prescribed by law or board regulations. The vice-chairperson shall preside if the chairperson is absent or temporarily unable to discharge the duties of the chairperson, or the position of chairperson becomes vacant. The board shall meet at least once every three months in-person, or through remote technologies, and may hold additional meetings as necessary to discharge its duties. A majority of the board membership shall constitute a quorum. The minutes of meetings, upon approval of the board, shall constitute the official records of board meetings.

c. The board shall promulgate rules and regulations pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) to effectuate the purposes of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). The provisions of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), except for sections 4, 5, and 6 and subsection i. of section 7, shall remain inoperative until the first day of the sixth month next following the promulgation by the board of the rules and regulations.

7. (New section) The board shall:

a. establish and review the qualifications of applicants for licensure;

b. recognize accrediting entities for midwifery programs;

c. recognize national certification entities which certify individuals to practice as certified midwives, certified nurse midwives, and certified professional midwives;

d. issue and renew, on a triennial basis, licenses for midwives;

e. refuse to issue an initial license or suspend, revoke, or fail to renew a license of a midwife pursuant to P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-14 et seq.);

f. enforce provisions of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), including, but not limited to, through the issuance of penalties pursuant to section 9 of P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-22);

g. maintain a record of each board licensee to include, but not be limited to, information regarding the place of business, place of residence, the issuance date of the license, the license number, and type of certification obtained by the licensee, and publish a list, which may be online, of the names and business addresses of all licensees annually;

h. review continuing education hours completed by licensees as the board deems appropriate, pursuant to section 11 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill);

i. prescribe and change the fees for initial licensure, licensure renewals, reactivations, and reinstatements, and other services the board deems necessary to provide, including services performed pursuant to P.L.1974, c.46 (C.45:1-3.1 et seq.);

j. adopt and promulgate rules and regulations pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) to effectuate the purposes of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill); and

k. perform other duties as deemed necessary by the board to effectuate the purposes of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

8. (New section) a. An individual shall not provide midwifery services unless licensed pursuant to P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), except that nothing in P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) shall be construed to prohibit:

(1) an individual licensed to practice pursuant to Title 45 of the Revised Statutes from engaging in the practice or teaching for which that person is licensed, regulated, or certified; or

(2) students enrolled in a midwifery program, or any other health care educational program, from performing midwifery services as part of a course of study.

b. An individual licensed as a certified midwife or certified nurse midwife may provide midwifery services and any other related services for which the board, by rule and regulation, established education and experiential requirements.

c. A certified midwife and certified nurse midwife may prescribe medications independently and to the extent of their training, certification, and scope of practice. To qualify to prescribe drugs pursuant to section 4 of this act, a certified midwife or a certified nurse midwife shall have completed 30 contact hours, as defined by the National Task Force on the Continuing Education Unit, in pharmacology or a pharmacology course, acceptable to the board, in an accredited institution of higher education approved by the Department of Higher Education or the board.

d. An individual licensed as a certified professional midwife may provide midwifery and other related services to the full scope of the individual’s license, pursuant to the credentialing requirements established by the board for certified professional midwives.

e. The board shall establish, by rules and regulations, a formulary of medications giving a certified professional midwife the authority to procure, dispense, and administer such medications in the normal course of the individual’s work as a licensed midwife

f. A certified midwife, certified nurse midwife, and certified professional midwife may work in any setting for which the midwife is trained and qualified, including, hospitals, clinics, patients’ homes, or birthing centers

g. A licensed midwife shall be authorized to sign paperwork for Temporary Disability Insurance benefits, granted under the Temporary Disability Benefits Law P.L.1948, c.110 (C.43:21-25 et seq.), and for Family Leave Insurance benefits, granted under the New Jersey Family Leave Act P.L.1989, c.261 (34:11B-1 et seq.).

9. (New section) To be eligible for licensure as a midwife, an applicant shall be at least 18 years of age and submit:

a. a completed application, in a form and manner as determined by the board;

b. an official transcript demonstrating successful completion of a midwifery program accredited by an entity identified and recognized by the board;

c. a copy of certification from a national certifying entity recognized by the board;

d. payment of fees, as required by the board; and

e. any other information deemed necessary, as determined by the board.

10. (New section) a. In order to maintain licensure as a midwife, the CNM/CM licensee must maintain certification through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) (or its successor(s)).

b. In order to maintain licensure as a midwife, the CPM licensee must maintain certification through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) (or its successor(s)).

c. As a condition of licensure renewal, the board shall require each individual licensed as a midwife, pursuant to section 7 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), to complete continuing education requirements in accordance with the respective credentialing body for each level of certification, which is to include training from an educational program in

explicit and implicit bias as required pursuant to subsection b. of section 1 of 2 P.L.1991, c.97 (C.26:2H-12.108)

d. The board may, in its discretion, waive requirements for continuing education for a licensee if

the licensee can demonstrate a hardship, including, but not limited to, a disability, military service or deployment, or other good cause.

11. Section 2 of P.L.1991, c.97 (C.45:10-18) is amended to read as follows:

2. A certified nurse midwife or certified midwife who meets the qualifications pursuant to section 4 of this act may prescribe, order, dispense, and administer drugs and medical devices, including controlled dangerous substances, consistent with the education and certification of a certified nurse midwife or certified midwife, and in accordance with applicable law.

(cf: P.L.1991, c.97, s.2)

12. Section 3 of P.L.1991, c.97 (C.45:10-19) is amended to read as follows:

3. To qualify to prescribe drugs pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.97 (C.45:10-18) a certified midwife, or a certified nurse midwife shall have completed 30 contact hours, as defined by the

National Task Force on the Continuing Education Unit, in pharmacology or a pharmacology course, acceptable to the board, in an accredited institution of higher education approved by the Department of Higher Education or the board.

(cf: P.L.2017, c.28, s.14)

13. Section 4 of P.L.1991, c.97 (C.45:10-20) is amended to read as follows:

4. A certified midwife or certified nurse midwife shall apply on a form prescribed by the board to obtain the authority to prescribe drugs pursuant to section 2 of [this act] P.L.1991, c.97 (C.45:10- 18) and shall present evidence acceptable to the board of meeting the requirements of section 3 of [this act] P.L.1991, c.97 (C.45:10- 19).

(cf: P.L.1991, c.97, s.4)

14. Section 5 of P.L.1991, c.97 (C.45:10-21) is amended to read as follows:

5. If the board determines that a certified midwife or a certified nurse midwife who is permitted to prescribe drugs pursuant to [this act] P.L.1991, c.97 (C.45:10-17 et seq.) has violated any provisions of [this act] P.L.1991, c.97 (C.45:10-17 et seq.) or any provision of a regulation pertaining to certified midwives or certified nurse midwives or violated any State or federal law or regulation applicable to the prescription of drugs, the board shall prohibit that certified midwife or certified nurse midwife from prescribing any drugs.

(cf: P.L.1991, c.97, s.5)

15. (New section) a. Any person who is licensed as a certified midwife, certified nurse midwife,

or certified professional midwife, pursuant to R.S.45:10-6, on the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) shall be licensed at the same level under and subject to the provisions of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

b. Any certified nurse midwife who is authorized to prescribe drugs pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1991, c.97 (C.45:10-20) on the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) shall be authorized to prescribe drugs under and subject to the provisions of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

16. Section 1 of P.L.1971, c.60 (C.45:1-2.1) is amended to read as follows:

1. The provisions of this act shall apply to the following boards and commissions: the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy, the New Jersey State Board of Architects, the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry, the State Board of Mortuary Science of New Jersey, the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, the State Board of Medical Examiners, the New Jersey Board of Nursing, the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists, the State Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians, the Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Professional Planners, the State Board of Psychological Examiners, the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers, the New Jersey Real Estate Commission, the State Board of Court Reporting, the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners, the Acupuncture Examining Board, the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the State Board of Respiratory Care, the State Real Estate Appraiser Board, the State Board of Social Work Examiners, the State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors, the Elevator, Escalator, and Moving Walkway Mechanics Licensing Board, the State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, the Orthotics and Prosthetics Board of Examiners, the New Jersey Cemetery Board, the State Board of Polysomnography, the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy, the Genetic Counseling Advisory Committee, the State Board of Dietetics and Nutrition, the State Board of Midwifery, and any other entity hereafter created under Title 45 to license or otherwise regulate a profession or occupation.

(cf: P.L.2019, c.331, s.16)

17. Section 1 of P.L.1974, c.46 (C.45:1-3.1) is amended to read as follows:

1. The provisions of this act shall apply to the following boards and commissions: the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy, the New Jersey State Board of Architects, the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry, the State Board of Mortuary Science of New Jersey, the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, the State Board of Medical Examiners, the New Jersey Board of Nursing, the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists, the State Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians, the Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Professional Planners, the State Board of Psychological Examiners, the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers, the State Board of Court Reporting, the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners, the Acupuncture Examining Board, the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the State Board of Respiratory Care, the State Real Estate Appraiser Board, the New Jersey Cemetery Board, the State Board of Social Work Examiners, the State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors, the Elevator, Escalator, and Moving Walkway Mechanics Licensing Board, the State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, the State Board of Polysomnography, the Orthotics and Prosthetics Board of Examiners, the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy, the Genetic Counseling Advisory Committee, the State Board of Dietetics and Nutrition, the State Board of Midwifery, and any other entity hereafter created under Title 45 to license or otherwise regulate a profession or occupation.

(cf: P.L.2019, c.331, s.17)

18. Section 2 of P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-15) is amended to read as follows:

2. The provisions of this act shall apply to the following boards and all professions or occupations regulated by, through or with the advice of those boards: the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy, the New Jersey State Board of Architects, the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry, the State Board of Mortuary Science of New Jersey, the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, the State Board of Medical Examiners, the New Jersey Board of Nursing, the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists, the State Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians, the Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Professional Planners, the State Board of Psychological Examiners, the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers, the State Board of Court Reporting, the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the State Board of Respiratory Care, the State Real Estate Appraiser Board, the State Board of Social Work Examiners, the State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors, the Elevator, Escalator, and Moving Walkway Mechanics Licensing Board, the State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, the State Board of Polysomnography, the Professional Counselor Examiners Committee, the New Jersey Cemetery Board, the Orthotics and Prosthetics Board of Examiners,

the Occupational Therapy Advisory Council, the Electrologists Advisory Committee, the Acupuncture Advisory Committee, the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee, the Athletic Training Advisory Committee, the Certified Psychoanalysts Advisory Committee, the Fire Alarm, Burglar Alarm, and Locksmith Advisory Committee, the Home Inspection Advisory Committee, the Interior Design Examination and Evaluation Committee, the Hearing Aid Dispensers Examining Committee, the Perfusionists Advisory Committee, the Physician Assistant Advisory Committee, the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Committee, the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy, the Genetic Counseling Advisory Committee, the State Board of Dietetics and Nutrition, the State Board of Midwifery, and any other entity hereafter created under Title 45 to license or otherwise regulate a profession or occupation.

(cf: P.L.2019, c.331, s.19)

19. Section 1 of P.L.2002, c.104 (C.45:1-28) is amended to read as follows:

1. As used in this act:

“Applicant” means an applicant for the licensure or other authorization to engage in a health care profession.

“Board” means a professional and occupational licensing board within the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety.

“Director” means the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety.

“Division” means the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety.

“Health care professional” means a health care professional who is licensed or otherwise authorized, pursuant to Title 45 or Title 52 of the Revised Statutes, to practice a health care profession that is regulated by one of the following boards or by the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs: the State Board of Medical Examiners, the New Jersey Board of Nursing, the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry, the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists, the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the Acupuncture Examining Board, the State Board of Physical Therapy, the State Board of Respiratory Care, the Orthotics and Prosthetics Board of Examiners, the State Board of Psychological Examiners, the State Board of Social Work Examiners, the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the State Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians, the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Committee, the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, the Occupational Therapy Advisory Council, the Certified Psychoanalysts Advisory Committee, the State Board of Midwifery, or the State Board of Polysomnography. Health care professional shall not include a nurse aide or personal care assistant who is required to undergo a criminal history record background check pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1997, c.100 (C.26:2H-83) or a homemaker-home health aide who is required to undergo a criminal history record background check pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1997, c.100 (C.45:11-24.3).

“Licensee” means an individual who has been issued a license or other authorization to practice a health care profession.

(cf: P.L.2005, c.244, s.17)

20. Section 9 of P.L.2005, c.83 (C.45:1-34) is amended to read as follows:

9. As used in sections 9 through 14 and 16 and 17 of P.L.2005, c.83 (C.45:1-34 through C.45:1-39 and C.26:2H-12.2d and C.45:1- 40):

“Board” means a professional and occupational licensing board within the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety which licenses or otherwise authorizes a health care professional to practice a health care profession.

“Division” means the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety;

“Health care entity” means a health care facility licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.), a health maintenance organization authorized to operate pursuant to P.L.1973, c.337 (C.26:2J-1 et seq.), a carrier which offers a managed care plan regulated pursuant to P.L.1997, c.192 (C.26:2S- 1 et seq.), a State or county psychiatric hospital, a State developmental center, a staffing registry, and a home care services agency as defined in section 1 of P.L.1947, c.262 (C.45:11-23).

“Health care professional” means a person licensed or otherwise authorized pursuant to Title 45 or Title 52 of the Revised Statutes to practice a health care profession that is regulated by the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs or by one of the following boards: the State Board of Medical Examiners, the New Jersey Board of Nursing, the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry, the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists, the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the Acupuncture Examining Board, the State Board of Physical Therapy, the State Board of Respiratory Care, the Orthotics and Prosthetics Board of Examiners, the State Board of Psychological Examiners, the State Board of Social Work Examiners, the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the State Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians, the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Committee, the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, the Occupational Therapy Advisory Council, the State Board of Midwifery, and the Certified

Psychoanalysts Advisory Committee.

“Licensee” means an individual who has been issued a license or other authorization to practice a health care profession.

“Review panel” means the Medical Practitioner Review Panel established pursuant to section 8 of P .L.1989, c.300 (C.45:9 -19.8). (cf: P.L.2005, c.83, s.9)

21. R.S.45:9-1 is amended to read as follows:

45:9-1. The State Board of Medical Examiners, hereinafter in this chapter designated as the “board” shall consist of 21 members, one of whom shall be the Commissioner of Health, or the commissioner’s designee, three of whom shall be public members and one an executive department designee as required pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1971, c.60 (C.45:1-2.2), and 16 of whom shall be persons of recognized professional ability and honor, and shall possess a license

to practice their respective professions in New Jersey, and all of whom shall be appointed by the Governor in accordance with the provisions of section 2 of P.L.1971, c.60 (C.45:1-2.2); provided, however, that said board shall consist of 12 graduates of schools of medicine or osteopathic medicine who shall possess the degree of M.D. or D.O. The number of osteopathic physicians on the board shall be a minimum of, but not limited to, two members. In addition the membership of said board shall comprise: one podiatric physician who does not possess a license to practice in any other health care profession regulated under Title 45 of the Revised Statutes; one physician assistant; one licensed midwife; and one licensed bio- analytical laboratory director, who may or may not be the holder of a degree of M.D. The term of office of members of the board hereafter appointed shall be three years or until their successors are appointed. A member is eligible for reappointment for one additional term of office, but no member shall serve more than two consecutive terms of office. Said appointees shall, within 30 days after receipt of their respective commissions, take and subscribe the oath or affirmation prescribed by law and file the same in the office of the Secretary of State.

(cf: P.L.2013, c.253, s.35)

22. R.S.45:10-1 through R.S.45:10-8 and R.S.45:10-16 are repealed.

23. This act shall take effect immediately but remain inoperative, except for sections 4, 5, and 6 and subsection j. of 6 section 7, until such time as provided in section 6. The director and the board may take such anticipatory administrative action in advance thereof as shall be necessary for implementation of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

STATEMENT

This bill modifies current law regulating midwives. Specifically, the bill repeals the current law requiring approval for licensure of midwives by the State Board of Medical Examiners and establishes a State Board of Midwifery. Under the bill, a board of 11 members, seven of whom are to be midwives, is created to oversee the licensure of certified midwives (CMs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and certified professional midwives (CPMs).

The bill:

1) delineates the responsibilities of the board, which include the approval of licensure applications, and recognition of entities accrediting midwifery certification programs and national entities issuing the certifications;

2) reviews, as deemed appropriate, the continuing education hours completed by licensees based on levels of certification;

3) requires applicants to meet certain standards to qualify for a license; and

4) authorizes the State Board of Midwifery to grant individuals currently licensed as a CM, CNM, or CPM by the State Board of Medical Examiners a license at that same level.

Under the bill, the Department of Banking and Insurance is to require medical malpractice insurance providers authorized to provide insurance in New Jersey to cover certified professional midwives. Additionally, health insurance carriers authorized to provide coverage in the State are to cover home births if an individual is approved to have a home birth.

The bill stipulates that licensees are to complete continuing education credits in accordance with the respective credentialing body for each level of certification, which is to include at least one hour on implicit and explicit bias, and if a licensee is authorized to prescribe drugs. The board may, in its discretion, waive requirements for continuing education for a licensee if the licensee can demonstrate a hardship, including, but not limited to, a disability, military service or deployment, or other good cause. Moreover, the bill reinstates a licensed midwife as a member of the State Board of Medical Examiners.