Midwifery
Council
Copyright 2005-2009
Idaho Midwifery Council
All rights reserved
Legislative Update
Although the State of Idaho
historically has offered no certification process or licensure, direct entry midwives
have been recognized in the Idaho code.
Midwives are
instructed to test for syphilis prenatally, to instill eye ointment in the
newborn's eyes, to perform newborn screening, and to file birth certificates
in a timely manner. Previously, midwives who wished to have their skills verified
have sought voluntary certification through the North American Registry of
Midwives. The Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credential
is awarded upon successful completion of the certification process. With the passage of House
Bill 185 in April 2009, midwives now have the opportunity to become
licensed in the State of Idaho.
Several years ago, Idaho midwives realized that the time had come to seek licensure. Senate Bill 1145 Midwifery Voluntary Licensure Act, was presented to the Idaho legislature in the 2007 session but did not make it out of committee. After much rewriting, House Bill 488 Midwifery Voluntary License, was introduced to the 2008 House and was favorably received by many members of the House Health and Welfare Committee, but was pulled due to some problems which needed to be addressed.
During 2008, IMC's legislative committee worked tirelessly with organizations such as Idaho Medical Association, Idaho Perinatal Project and professional associations and boards to achieve a "consensus bill" which all would be able to support or regard as neutral. House Bill 185 An Act Relating to Midwifery was introduced to the Idaho House early in 2009, was passed out of the House State Affairs Committee on February 26 unanimously and with no opposition and likewise passed the Idaho House on March 3. The bill also passed the Senate Health & Welfare Committee (7 to 1) on March 16 and the Idaho Senate (32 to 3) on March 25. It was presented to Governor Otter on March 26 and was signed into law on April 1, 2009.
House Bill 185, "An Act Relating to
Midwifery" may be accessed at the following link:
http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2009/H0185.pdf
We would like to especially thank the following people and groups who
assisted greatly in our long legislative journey:
Barbara Rawlings, Michelle Bartlett, Paula Wiens and other members
of the Idaho Midwifery Council
Rep. Janice McGeachin, our House sponsor, and the
many supportive members in the Idaho House
Senator Shawn Keough, our Senate sponsor, and the
many supportive members in the Idaho Senate
Idahoans for Midwives
NARM
Chair Ida Darragh
Lobbyists Kris Ellis and Larry Benton
Idaho Perinatal Project, Idaho Medical Association and other professional
associations and boards
Next steps...
1.
The Board of Midwifery, which acts through the Bureau of
Occupational Licensing, has been appointed by Governor Otter and is composed of
the following members:
Kyndal May, LMP, CD (DONA), LCCE, 1 year Public member
Dr. Clarence Blea, MD, 2 year Physician member
Paula Wiens, CNM, 3 year Midwife member
Michelle Bartlett, CPM, 4 year Midwife member
Barbara Rawlings, CPM, 5 year Midwife member
2. After the bill is enacted on July 1, 2009, the Bureau of Occupational Licensing (IBOL) will call meetings to begin drafting the rules that need to be completed and ready for publishing by Aug. 28, 2009.
3. The rules must be
approved by the legislature in January 2010 before they can be adopted.
Once the rules are adopted, applications will be available for licensing.
4. In order to apply for licensing, midwives must have active CPM certification and
MEAC approved classes in pharmacology, IV/shock and suturing. Until
the rules have been adopted, the exact requirements for these classes will
be uncertain.
5. It is expected that the first midwives will be licensed in spring 2010.