This bill amends existing New Jersey law to grant independent prescriptive authority to midwives, specifically allowing certified midwives to prescribe drugs without the need for collaborative agreements with physicians. The current law restricts certified nurse midwives (CNMs) to prescribing only under specific protocols established with a collaborating physician and limits their authority to a formulary of drugs. The bill removes these restrictions, enabling certified midwives to prescribe drugs independently, while still requiring them to complete 30 contact hours in pharmacology, including training on prescription opioid drugs.

Additionally, the bill updates the definition of "midwife" to include both certified nurse midwives and certified midwives, thereby broadening the scope of practitioners who can prescribe medications. It also eliminates the previous requirement for CNMs to adhere to standing orders and practice protocols developed in collaboration with a physician. The State Board of Medical Examiners is tasked with creating necessary regulations to implement these changes, which will take effect immediately upon passage of the bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 45:10-17, 45:10-18, 45:10-19, 45:10-20, 45:10-21