Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that regulates the practices of registered midwives.

Highlights:

• Limits the care and services that registered midwives may provide to the following (Sec. 2):
• The administration of specific medications to clients, provided that the midwife has already completed an accredited pharmacology course;
• Monitoring of the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle;
• Individualized education, counseling, prenatal and postpartum support for the mother; -Continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery;
• Monitoring and supporting the baby during the pregnancy, labor, delivery and post-partum period; and
• The identification and referral of women and newborns that require medical attention.

• Prohibits registered midwifes from using forceps or vacuum extraction, and from performing cesarean sections or abortions (Sec. 12).

• Prohibits any person from practicing as a registered midwife, using the title "registered midwife," or otherwise representing herself or himself as a registered midwife unless he or she has registered with the Department of Health (Sec. 3).

• Exempts the following people from registration requirements (Sec. 3):
• A registered nurse midwife, registered nurse, or licensed nurse practitioner authorized to practice in South Dakota; and
• Any student midwife engaged in an internship, preceptorship, or other clinical training program under the supervision of a recognized preceptor.

• Specifies the requirements for becoming a state-registered midwife which include, but are not limited to, the following (Sec. 5):
• The applicant must be at least 21 years of age at the time of application;
• The applicant must have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent;
• The applicant must have completed a course accredited by the Midwife Education Accreditation Council; and
• The applicant must have submitted to a federal criminal background investigation.

• Requires registered midwifes to provide each client with a copy of an informed consent document to be signed by both parties, and which includes, but is not limited to, the following (Sec. 10):
• A description of the registered midwife's experience, qualifications and training;
• A statement that specifies whether or not the registered midwife has malpractice liability insurance; and
• A plan for consultation, referral, and transport for medical emergencies.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that regulates the practices of registered midwives.

Highlights:

• Limits the care and services that registered midwives may provide to the following (Sec. 2):
• The administration of specific medications to clients, provided that the midwife has already completed an accredited pharmacology course;
• Monitoring of the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle;
• Individualized education, counseling, prenatal and postpartum support for the mother; -Continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery;
• Monitoring and supporting the baby during the pregnancy, labor, delivery and post-partum period; and
• The identification and referral of women and newborns that require medical attention.

• Prohibits registered midwifes from using forceps or vacuum extraction, and from performing cesarean sections or abortions (Sec. 12).

• Prohibits any person from practicing as a registered midwife, using the title "registered midwife," or otherwise representing herself or himself as a registered midwife unless he or she has registered with the Department of Health (Sec. 3).

• Exempts the following people from registration requirements (Sec. 3):
• A registered nurse midwife, registered nurse, or licensed nurse practitioner authorized to practice in South Dakota; and
• Any student midwife engaged in an internship, preceptorship, or other clinical training program under the supervision of a recognized preceptor.

• Specifies the requirements for becoming a state-registered midwife which include, but are not limited to, the following (Sec. 5):
• The applicant must be at least 21 years of age at the time of application;
• The applicant must have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent;
• The applicant must have completed a course accredited by the Midwife Education Accreditation Council; and
• The applicant must have submitted to a federal criminal background investigation.

• Requires registered midwifes to provide each client with a copy of an informed consent document to be signed by both parties, and which includes, but is not limited to, the following (Sec. 10):
• A description of the registered midwife's experience, qualifications and training;
• A statement that specifies whether or not the registered midwife has malpractice liability insurance; and
• A plan for consultation, referral, and transport for medical emergencies.

Full Bill Text