MO HB1678

Creates a new Board of Professional Midwives within the Division of Professional Registration with six members (five licensed professional midwives and one public member) to license and regulate certified professional midwives (CPMs) in Missouri.

Establishes licensure requirements for professional midwives including current NARM certification as CPM, basic life support and neonatal resuscitation certification, and written disclosure to clients regarding education, licensure, birth setting risks/benefits, and emergency care plans.

Defines professional midwifery as a separate profession distinct from medicine, osteopathy, and nursing, excluding prescribing drugs and operative surgery, with specific exceptions allowing midwives to administer certain medications for maternal and neonatal care.

Requires licensed professional midwives to carry medical malpractice insurance and establishes MO HealthNet reimbursement at physician rates plus an additional home birth fee equal to half the hospital fee for uncomplicated vaginal births.

Updates birth certificate procedures to allow professional midwives to file and sign certificates without notary signatures and removes midwifery regulation from the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts, transferring it to the new independent board.