An Act To Ensure the Safety of Home Birth

CONCEPT DRAFT SUMMARY

This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

The purpose of this bill is to ensure the safety of women who choose to give birth at home or in freestanding birthing centers attended by certified professional midwives. This bill proposes to license and regulate certified professional midwives practicing in Maine. Among other things, the bill will establish:

1. Criteria for licensure and oversight;

2. A regulatory body including certified professional midwives, clients, certified nurse midwives and physicians to oversee complaint and disciplinary processes;

3. Procedures to allow other health care providers to consult with, collaborate with or accept transfer of care from a licensed certified professional midwife;

4. Procedures to allow for protected peer review for licensed certified professional midwives; and

5. Requirements for data collection and submission for quality improvement purposes.