Bill Name: Out-of-Hospital Childbirths: physicians and surgeons: licensed midwives: certified nurse-midwives

Bill Number: SB-457

Bill Author(s): Bates

Legislative Session / Year: 2017

State: California

AVFCA Position: Oppose

Bill Synopsis: This bill would have significantly limit access to out-of-hospital maternity and reproductive healthcare. It would severely reduce the scope of practice for both Licensed Midwives and Certified Nurse-Midwives and would drastically restrict access to out-of-hospital maternity care for all families in CA. It would: – Mandate women with potential risk factors who are planning an out-of-hospital birth must undergo a medical examination by an OB/GYN and seek their permission to remain under midwifery care. Midwives who continue to provide care without physician permission will be charged with unprofessional conduct. – Deny out-of-hospital midwifery care to women who have had either a cesarean section or any other previous abdominal surgery, regardless of whether or not it presents additional risk for childbearing. – Mandate women give birth in a hospital if they live more than 20 minutes from a hospital, and would strike down current law that gives Licensed Midwives the legal ability to obtain both routine and life-saving tests and medications. – Strike down current law allowing Licensed Midwives and Certified Nurse Midwives practicing out-of-hospital to provide family planning services.

Effective Date if Passed: 01/01/2018