HB 402 - Ohio Midwife Practice Act Summary

• Creates licensing and regulation framework for certified professional midwives (CPMs) in Ohio through a new Council of Certified Professional Midwives with seven members appointed by the Governor, including four CPMs, two physicians, and one public representative.

• Establishes licensure requirements including high school degree, graduation from an accredited midwifery education program, certification by the North American Registry of Midwives, neonatal and adult CPR certification, and a $45 application fee; licenses valid for two years and renewable with continuing education.

• Defines scope of practice allowing CPMs to provide prenatal care, conduct normal deliveries, provide newborn care, and recognize abnormal conditions requiring physician referral; prohibits use of certain medications, forceps, vacuum extraction, and operative procedures.

• Requires mandatory transfer of care agreements with hospitals for emergency obstetric care and establishes adverse incident reporting requirements for out-of-hospital births beginning July 1, 2023.

• Mandates insurance coverage for midwifery services in health insuring corporation policies, sickness and accident insurance policies, public employee benefit plans, and Medicaid effective January 1, 2023.