HB 70 Summary

• Establishes licensure and regulation of midwives in Delaware through a new Midwifery Advisory Council under the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline, creating standards for Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) and Certified Midwives (CMs).

• Requires all persons practicing midwifery in Delaware to be licensed after June 30, 2016, with eligibility based on national certification (CPM or CM), criminal background clearance, and minimum education standards.

• Mandates detailed informed consent procedures for home birth services, including written acknowledgment of risks, provider credentials, emergency transfer plans, and client screening for low-risk pregnancies meeting specific criteria.

• Establishes disciplinary procedures allowing the Council to recommend license revocation, suspension, or probation for unprofessional conduct, with expedited hearing procedures and temporary suspension authority in emergency situations.

• Clarifies that midwife-assisted births outside institutions are separate from nurse-midwife practice and prohibits vicarious liability for healthcare providers unless an employment relationship exists with the midwife.