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HF 1010

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.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Esther Agbaje and 17 co-sponsors

HF 1010 creates a state licensure framework for licensed certified midwives and expands MA coverage to include their services.

Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 1010

Summary of HF 1010 (Minnesota 2025-2026)

Purpose and intent

HF 1010 seeks to expand the definition of health occupation to include licensed certified midwives, establish licensure for certified midwives, create civil and criminal penalties related to licensed certified midwifery, and expand medical assistance (MA) coverage to include licensed certified midwife services. The bill is positioned to formalize the practice of certified midwifery within Minnesota’s regulatory framework and ensure reimbursement for licensed midwifery services under MA.

Key provisions

  1. Definition updates

    • Amends the definition of “health occupation” to explicitly include licensed certified midwives.
    • Signals an intent to regulate the practice of certified midwifery through a state licensure framework.

  2. Licensure of certified midwives

    • Establishes a state licensure program for certified midwives.
    • Likely outlines licensure requirements (education, credentialing, ongoing continuing education), though specific thresholds are not provided in the summary.
    • Creates a regulatory structure to supervise and discipline licensed midwives, ensuring standards of care.

  3. Penalties

    • Establishes civil penalties for violations related to licensed certified midwifery practice.
    • Establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses connected to the practice of certified midwifery or related regulatory violations.
    • Mechanisms for enforcement would be included (e.g., grounds for discipline, penalties, and enforcement procedures), though exact penalties (fine amounts, durations) are not specified in the summary.

  4. Medicaid/MA coverage expansion

    • Expands Medical Assistance (MA) coverage to include licensed certified midwife services.
    • This expansion aims to improve access and affordability of midwifery care for MA beneficiaries.
    • May require state plan amendments or implementation of billing and reimbursement policies for certified midwives.

Who is affected

  • Licensed certified midwives and prospective midwives: Subject to licensure requirements, professional standards, and regulatory oversight.
  • Health care providers and facilities: May interact with licensed certified midwives; compliance with the new licensure regime and MA billing rules will be necessary.
  • Medicaid/MA beneficiaries: Potentially gain access to covered certified midwifery services, expanding options for birth and related care.
  • State regulatory bodies: Likely involves the Minnesota Board of Nursing or a newly defined licensing board or division responsible for licensure and discipline of certified midwives; may create or modify enforcement offices for penalties.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and first reading: HF 1010 introduced and referred to Health Finance and Policy on February 17, 2025.
  • Committee action history:
    • February–April 2025: The bill moved through sponsor additions and committee referrals.
    • April 1, 2025: Report from committee with a recommendation to adopt as amended and re-refer to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law.
  • The bill’s future stages would typically include hearings, potential amendments, floor debate, and, if passed, reconciliation with the Senate version and signatures by the governor. Specific dates for next steps are not provided in the summary.

Notable considerations

  • The measure involves creating a new licensure framework for certified midwives, which may require defining scope of practice, safety standards, supervision requirements, and reporting.
  • Expansion of MA coverage could impact state Medicaid expenditures and reimbursement structures; implementation would involve provider enrollment, billing codes, and rate determinations.
  • Civil and criminal penalties indicate a regulatory enforcement regime beyond voluntary compliance, with potential consequences for violations of the licensure law.

If you’d like, I can attach a hypothetical outline of licensure requirements and a sample MA reimbursement provision based on typical frameworks (e.g., scope of practice, education/credentialing standards, penalties, and reimbursement rates) to illustrate how HF 1010 might be implemented.

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

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