Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for SB0385

Creates the Midwifery Licensure Act. Provides for the licensure of midwives by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Grants rulemaking authority to the Department and provides that the rules shall include the establishment of criteria for licensure, professional conduct, and discipline. Creates the Illinois Midwifery Board. Sets forth provisions concerning informed consent, qualifications, licensure, title, continuing education, exemption from civil liability, and vicarious liability. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to set a repeal date for the new Act of January 1, 2018. Amends the Good Samaritan Act to provide for the exemption from civil liability.

Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the bill as introduced with the following changes. Makes changes to the provisions concerning the purpose of the Act; exemptions from the Act; definitions; titles; vicarious liability; the powers and duties of the Department; the Illinois Midwifery Board; informed consent; qualifications for licensure; continuing education; and license renewal. Requires the initial rules concerning the licensed practice of midwifery to be adopted by the Department on or before January 1, 2008. Adds provisions concerning unlicensed practice; advertising; application for licensure and the issuance of temporary licenses; license status; fees; penalties; grounds for disciplinary action; and administrative procedure. Preempts home rule. Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987 and the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act to provide that those Acts do not prohibit a person licensed under the Midwifery Licensure Act from engaging in the practice of midwifery. In the Good Samaritan Act, adds an exemption from civil liability for any person who renders midwifery services to a person without fee. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

In the Midwifery Licensure Act, requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to verify that the North American Registry of Midwives meets and maintains all accreditation standards set forth by the National Commission on Certifying Agencies or a successor organization. Requires that the didactic component of the required educational program include the procurement of knowledge of postpartum, including the assessing for postpartum depression, uterine or breast infections, and abnormal newborn jaundice and referring as necessary (instead of the assessing, treating, or referring for postpartum depression, uterine or breast infections, and abnormal newborn jaundice). Sets forth additional education requirements for licensure under the new Act. Makes technical corrections.

In the Midwifery Licensure Act, removes the provision that requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to verify that the North American Registry of Midwives meets and maintains all accreditation standards set forth by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies or a successor organization. Sets forth as a qualification for licensure as a midwife a bachelor of science degree, an associate's degree in midwifery, or an associate's degree or higher in nursing from an accredited institution of postsecondary education (instead of an associate's degree or 60 hours of college credit at an accredited institution of postsecondary education).

×