Health occupation definitions amended to include licensed certified midwife, licensure established for certified midwives, civil and criminal penalties established, and medical assistance coverage expanded to licensed certified midwife services.

Summary

This bill updates the definitions of health occupations to include licensed certified midwives. It establishes a licensing process for certified midwives and sets penalties for violations. Additionally, the bill expands coverage under medical assistance to include services provided by licensed certified midwives. Essentially, this legislation aims to formally recognize and regulate certified midwives as healthcare professionals, ensuring they meet certain standards and can be held accountable for their practice. It also makes it easier for individuals to access midwifery services through medical assistance programs.