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Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-03-25

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill creates a state licensing system for Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in North Carolina, establishing the North Carolina Council of Midwives to set standards, issue licenses, and oversee midwifery practice. The bill defines the qualifications, responsibilities, and scope of practice for licensed midwives while requiring them to maintain national certification and collaborate with physicians when necessary.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill increases access to midwifery care, particularly for underserved communities, while establishing professional standards and consumer protections through licensure and oversight.
• •They contend that regulation improves safety by requiring certified midwives to maintain emergency training, develop transfer plans, and work within defined scope of practice limits, while also recognizing midwifery as a legitimate healthcare profession alongside nurse-midwives and physicians.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may worry that licensing CPMs could create liability concerns for hospitals and physicians if midwives practice outside their competency, and question whether state oversight adequately protects maternal and infant safety compared to existing nurse-midwife regulations.
• •Some may also express concerns about the creation of another regulatory agency, associated costs through licensing fees, and whether this expands access or simply creates new bureaucratic requirements for practitioners already operating in the state.