ND SB2315

Establishes a voluntary registry administered by the North Dakota Board of Nursing for lay or traditional midwives who provide services to women and newborns outside hospital or clinical settings.

Requires lay or traditional midwife applicants to submit a completed application with appropriate fee, evidence of education and preceptorship experience in lay midwifery practice, and certification by a national organization effective January 1, 2013.

Mandates statewide and nationwide criminal history record checks for all lay or traditional midwife registration applicants, with costs borne by the applicant.

Directs the state Department of Health to convene a task force during the 2011-12 interim to study the feasibility and desirability of developing mandatory regulation mechanisms and funding sources for lay or traditional midwives, with findings reported to the 63rd Legislative Assembly.

Sets an expiration date of July 31, 2013 for this legislation, after which the act becomes ineffective.