The proposed bill establishes the Licensed Midwives Practice Act in Nebraska, amending the Uniform Credentialing Act to formally recognize licensed midwives as a distinct professional category. Key changes include replacing "Practical Nurse-Certified" with "Licensed Midwives" in the list of practice acts and adding professional midwifery as a credentialed practice. The bill creates a Board of Licensed Midwives to oversee licensure and practice, ensuring that midwives operate within a regulated framework. It also clarifies that licensed midwives are separate from certified nurse midwives, allowing them to practice without restrictions from the Certified Nurse Midwifery Practice Act.

The act outlines the requirements for obtaining a midwifery license, including educational qualifications and a criminal background check, and specifies the scope of practice for licensed midwives, which includes attending births and providing prenatal and postpartum care. It mandates adherence to specific standards of practice and delineates the medications and procedures licensed midwives are authorized to use. Additionally, the bill ensures that insurance policies cover maternity services provided by licensed midwives on par with other similar benefits and repeals conflicting existing statutes to create a cohesive regulatory environment for midwifery in Nebraska.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 38-101, 38-121, 38-131, 38-167, 38-606, 38-618, 38-2025