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Bill

Bill

S 2994

Establishes "Midwifery Licensing Act." *

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Vitale

Creates a standalone State Board of Midwifery to license and regulate midwives, standardizing credentials, CE, insurance, and practice across NJ.

Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 2994

Summary of Bill: S2994 (Midwifery Licensing Act)

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes a modern, standalone regulatory framework for the oversight and licensing of midwives in New Jersey.
  • Recognizes the vital role of midwives in improving maternal and infant health and addresses high statewide maternal and infant mortality/morbidity by creating dedicated governance for midwifery practice.
  • Replaces current regulation that places midwives under the Board of Medical Examiners with a specialized State Board of Midwifery.

Key provisions and changes

  • A new regulatory framework:
    • Creates the State Board of Midwifery within the Division of Consumer Affairs (Department of Law and Public Safety).
    • Board composition: 11 members (public member appointed by Governor; a Governor-appointed Executive Branch member; three physicians (OB-GYN or family medicine); and seven midwives including at least one midwifery educator, two certified professional midwives (CPMs), two certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and two certified midwives (CMs)).
    • Terms and governance: three-year terms for most members; staggered initial terms; no more than two successive terms (excluding a possible unexpired term); expenses reimbursed; board members serve without compensation but may receive facilities, per diem-style support.
    • Rules and regulations: board will adopt rules under the Administrative Procedure Act; inoperative provisions remain dormant until rules are promulgated.
  • Licensure and scope of practice:
    • Licensure required to provide midwifery services; exemptions include licensed providers under Title 45 and students enrolled in midwifery or other health care education programs performing supervised midwifery services.
    • Licensure categories: CM (Certified Midwife), CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife), CPM (Certified Professional Midwife); all defined by recognized national certifying bodies.
    • Licenses issued/renewed biennially; board recognizes accrediting entities for education programs and national certifying entities for each credential.
    • Licensure may be denied, suspended, revoked, or renewed with conditions per established law.
    • Continuing education: licensure renewals require ongoing CE aligned with credentialing bodies and applicable law; waivers possible for hardship or good cause.
    • Liability insurance: licensees must maintain professional liability insurance at levels determined by the board.
  • Qualifications and requirements:
    • To be eligible for licensure: age 18+, completed an accredited midwifery program, national certification, application and fees, and any other information required by the board.
  • Practice and settings:
    • Midwives may practice in hospitals, clinics, homes, or birth centers consistent with training.
    • CNMs/CMs can provide full midwifery services and primary care related to female reproductive systems; CPMs may provide the full scope of their credentialed services.
    • Authority to sign papers for Temporary Disability Insurance and family disability benefits (per state law) for licensed midwives.
  • Transition for current practitioners:
    • Those licensed as CM/CNM/CPM under R.S.45:10-6 and related statutes on the act’s effective date would be licensed at the same level under the new framework.
  • Administrative and cross-reference changes:
    • Amends multiple sections of New Jersey law to incorporate the new Board and licensing framework and to realign references across health care licensing acts (Title 45/52 provisions and related regulatory bodies).
    • Expands the list of boards subject to unified regulatory applicability to include the new State Board of Midwifery.

Who is affected

  • Individuals seeking to practice midwifery in New Jersey (CMs, CNMs, CPMs) would be required to obtain licensure and meet ongoing CE and insurance requirements.
  • Current midwives licensed under existing statutes would transition to the new licensure framework at the same credential level.
  • Health care facilities and patients: potential impact on access to midwifery services through a dedicated regulatory body and standardized standards, with anticipated improvements in safety and consistency of care.
  • Education programs and national certifying bodies: recognition and alignment with board-approved education accreditation and national certification entities.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill establishes a new regulatory structure and directs the Board to organize within 30 days of member appointments.
  • The board would meet regularly (at least quarterly) and set fees (initial licensure, renewal, reactivation, reinstatement, and other services) as determined by the board.
  • The act becomes effective immediately but remains inoperative until six months after the board promulgates its first rules and regulations; anticipatory actions by the Director and Board to prepare for implementation are allowed.
  • The bill accompanies broad statutory realignments across multiple chapters to incorporate the new midwifery licensing framework.

Notable details

  • Licensees must maintain certification through AMCB (for CNMs/CMs) or NARM (for CPMs).
  • Continuing education must align with credentialing bodies and include training previously mandated by related law (as applicable).
  • The bill envisions the board to publish a list of licensees (names and business addresses) annually, potentially online.
  • The bill would repeal and replace certain provisions currently governing midwifery and integrate them into the new regulatory scheme.

If you’d like, I can provide a shorthand bullet-point briefing for policymakers or a side-by-side comparison with the current regulatory framework.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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