Massachusetts HB4655 reflects priority recommendations contained in new healthcare policy report

The National Partnership for Women & Families released their "Blueprint for Advancing High-Value Maternity Care Through Physiologic Childbearing" in June 2018. One of their priority recommendations was to grow the midwifery workforce.

Massachusetts HB4655 “An Act Relative to Out-of-Hospital Birth Access and Safety” meets the Blueprint’s recommendations for Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) regulation:

  • Extend legal recognition of CPMs to remaining states

  • Incorporate principles for model legislation that enable practice to the full scope of education and competence and align with Global Standards of the International Confederation of Midwives

  • Ensure that by 2020 all new applicants for CPM licensure have successfully completed a midwifery educational program or pathway accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council and obtained the CPM credential

  • Ensure that those who previously obtained the certification through a non-accredited pathway also meet guidance of the U.S. MERA (Midwifery Education, Regulation and Association) Statement on the Licensure of Certified Professional Midwives

Emily Anestanews