Signed by Governor Jared Polis

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that appropriates Resources for the Usage of Maternal Midwives in Colorado Healthcare Industry.

Highlights:

• Requires any individual who practices certified professional midwifery to have a valid license (Sec. 3-7).

• Amends the title of “direct-entry midwives” to “certified professional midwives” (CPMs) and changes the regulation from registration to licensure (Sec. 3-7).

• Amends licensure requirements to include (Sec. 3-7):

• Passing an exam;

• Graduating from an accredited midwifery education program;

• Holding a CPM credential from the North American Registry of Midwives;

• Being certified by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross to perform adult and infant CPR;

• Having an equivalent education that is approved by the director of the Division of Professions and Occupations.

• Requires the Civil Rights Commission to collect reports of mistreatment in maternity care to help identify ways to address prenatal mistreatment and discrimination (Sec. 3-7).

• Establishes an advisory panel to provide recommendations on disciplinary actions against CPMs (Sec. 3-7).

• Authorizes a midwife who is practicing in a freestanding birth center, in a rural area, or as a home birth provider to be appointed to the Environmental Justice Advisory Board (Sec. 3-7).

• Requires a health care facility that provides maternal health care services to provide public notice at least 90 days before the discontinuation of these services (Sec. 3-7).

• Requires the Colorado Maternal Mortality Prevention Program to study the availability of perinatal health care, facility and practice closures, and the impacts on maternal and infant health, and provide recommendations to the General Assembly (Sec. 3-7).

• Authorizes pregnancy as a protected class for discrimination in places of public accommodation (Sec. 3-7).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 10).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that appropriate Resources for the Usage of Maternal Midwives in the Colorado Healthcare Industry.

Highlights:

• Requires any individual who practices certified professional midwifery to have a valid license (Sec. 3-7).

• Amends the title of “direct-entry midwives” to “certified professional midwives” (CPMs) and changes the regulation from registration to licensure (Sec. 3-7).

• Amends licensure requirements to include (Sec. 3-7):

• Passing an exam;

• Graduating from an accredited midwifery education program;

• Holding a CPM credential from the North American Registry of Midwives;

• Being certified by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross to perform adult and infant CPR;

• Having an equivalent education that is approved by the director of the Division of Professions and Occupations.

• Requires the Civil Rights Commission to collect reports of mistreatment in maternity care to help identify ways to address prenatal mistreatment and discrimination (Sec. 3-7).

• Establishes an advisory panel to provide recommendations on disciplinary actions against CPMs (Sec. 3-7).

• Authorizes a midwife who is practicing in a freestanding birth center, in a rural area, or as a home birth provider to be appointed to the Environmental Justice Advisory Board (Sec. 3-7).

• Requires a health care facility that provides maternal health care services to provide public notice at least 90 days before the discontinuation of these services (Sec. 3-7).

• Requires the Colorado Maternal Mortality Prevention Program to study the availability of perinatal health care, facility and practice closures, and the impacts on maternal and infant health, and provide recommendations to the General Assembly (Sec. 3-7).

• Authorizes pregnancy as a protected class for discrimination in places of public accommodation (Sec. 3-7).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 10).

Full Bill Text