SCS/SB 637 - This act creates a "Board of Direct-Entry Midwives" within the Division of Professional Registration. The board shall have the power to issue licenses and to suspend, revoke or deny the license of a direct-entry midwife. A direct-entry midwife is defined as one who is certified by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) as a certified professional midwife providing for compensation those skills relevant to the care of women and infants before, during, and six weeks after birth.
A licensed direct-entry midwife is required to present a written disclosure statement to each client outlining the practice of midwifery, his or her training, experience, malpractice or liability insurance coverage, and emergency medical plan. This requirement has some exceptions, including a religious practice exception.
No licensed direct-entry midwife shall be permitted to accept payment for services under the state Medicaid program, prescribe drugs or medications, perform vacuum deliveries, medical inductions or cesarean sections, or use forceps during the delivery of an infant.
This act provides that no person other than the licensed direct-entry midwife who provided care to the patient shall be liable for the direct-entry midwife's negligent or willful and wanton acts or omissions. Also, no licensed physician, certified nurse midwife, hospital, licensed doctor of osteopathy, or emergency medical technician licensed under Chapter 190, RSMo, or agents thereof, shall be exempt from liability for their own subsequent and independent negligent acts or omissions or willful and wanton acts or omissions.
This act also provides that a licensed direct-entry midwife providing the service of direct-entry midwifery shall not be deemed to be engaged in the practice of medicine, nursing, nurse-midwifery, or any other medical or healing practice.
This act provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the practice of direct-entry midwifery unless such person is licensed as a direct-entry midwife under the provisions of this act. Also, any person who violates the provisions of this act is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
ADRIANE CROUSE