HB5629 - Certified Professional Midwives Practice Act

• Creates the Certified Professional Midwives Practice Act to license and regulate midwives providing out-of-hospital maternity care through the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, effective January 1, 2021.

• Establishes the Illinois Midwifery Board with 7 members (4 licensed midwives, 1 obstetrician/family medicine physician, 1 certified nurse midwife, 1 public member) to recommend rules and conduct disciplinary hearings.

• Sets licensure requirements including high school diploma, MEAC-accredited education (required after January 1, 2022), current CPR/NRP certification, and valid Certified Professional Midwife credential from NARM.

• Prohibits midwives from prescribing medications, using forceps/vacuum extractors, inducing labor, providing pain management drugs, or caring for patients with specified serious medical conditions; requires consultation with physicians for abnormal findings.

• Requires informed consent documentation disclosing midwife credentials, malpractice insurance status, and emergency transport protocols; amends Illinois Insurance Code to require maternity coverage for licensed midwife services and Medicaid to cover midwife care.

• Sunsets the Act on January 1, 2031 per the Regulatory Sunset Act.