|
|
Idaho Midwifery Council |
|
|
Home
Copyright 2005-2009 |
Legislative Update
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.
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: Next steps... Kyndal May, LMP, CD (DONA), LCCE, 1 year Public 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.
5. It is expected that the first midwives will be licensed in spring 2010.
|
|