HI HB407

Continues and expands the licensing program for certified midwives and certified professional midwives through the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, removing the June 30, 2025 sunset date that was set to terminate the program

Defines scope of practice allowing licensed midwives to provide independent care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum periods in hospitals, clinics, birthing facilities, and homes, including ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing certain medications, and performing ultrasounds

Exempts from licensing requirements traditional birth attendants, family members providing care, student midwives, and practitioners of Native Hawaiian or ethnic cultural birth practices, provided they meet disclosure requirements and do not use legend drugs

Creates a midwifery bridge certificate pathway allowing certified professional midwives to obtain licensure through apprenticeship training combined with 50 hours of additional accredited education, addressing limited access to mainland-based midwifery schools

Re-establishes a 17-member home birth task force to recommend improvements for coordination of care, transport protocols, and public health education, with a report due before the 2026 legislative session and dissolution on June 30, 2026