The bill amends the Occupations Code to enhance the training and responsibilities of midwives in Texas, specifically regarding the administration of certain drugs and the requirement for continuing education in pharmacology. It mandates that midwives provide evidence of training in newborn screening, the administration of specific drugs, and basic life support cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Additionally, a new section is introduced that requires licensed midwives to complete a pharmacology course as part of their continuing education for license renewal.

Furthermore, the bill allows midwives to administer specific drugs commonly used during labor and postpartum care, such as antihemorrhagic drugs and local anesthetics, without constituting the practice of medicine. It also expands the list of permissible drugs that midwives can administer, including those described in the newly added Section 203.3525. The bill sets a timeline for the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to adopt necessary rules and specifies that the new regulations will apply to midwife license renewals starting February 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 203.256, Occupations Code 203.401 (Occupations Code 203)