HB 407 Summary

• Establishes a permanent licensing program for certified midwives and certified professional midwives under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, effective July 1, 2025.

• Defines scope of practice for licensed midwives including independent provision of care during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and reproductive health, with authority to order tests, prescribe medications, and practice in hospitals, clinics, birthing centers, and homes.

• Exempts from licensure requirement traditional birth attendants, family members, students, and practitioners of cultural or spiritual birth practices, provided they disclose their unlicensed status and lack of state authorization in writing.

• Requires health insurance plans and Medicaid to cover services provided by licensed midwives within their scope of practice regardless of location.

• Re-establishes a temporary home birth task force with up to 17 members representing midwives, healthcare providers, and the public to submit recommendations to the legislature by 2026.