NC S819

Allows certified nurse-midwives to practice independently after completing 24 months and 2,400 hours of practice, eliminating the requirement for physician supervision for experienced practitioners.

Requires new certified nurse-midwives (with less than 24 months and 2,400 hours of experience) to maintain a collaborative provider agreement with a collaborating provider, with a 90-day grace period if the agreement is terminated.

Expands the joint subcommittee governing midwifery from four to seven additional members, including five nurse-midwives appointed upon recommendation of the North Carolina Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

Establishes requirements for certified nurse-midwives attending planned births outside hospitals, including obtaining signed informed consent from patients and providing written transfer plans to nearby health care facilities.

Protects physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and health care facilities from vicarious liability when providing emergency care to women or infants whose complications arise from out-of-hospital births attended by certified nurse-midwives, though retains liability for their own independent negligence.