Table of Contents HB 1635 Certified nurse midwives; licensed certified midwives; independent practice; organized medical staff. Status Overview Summary as Introduced Patrons House Patrons Senate Patrons Language Opening Statement House Subcommittee Statement House Committee Statement Floor Statement Senate Subcommittee Statement Senate Committee Statement Support and Opposition Additional information

House

Senate

Conference

Governor

Committee

Floor

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Floor

Referred to Committee

Referred to Subcommittee

Subcommittee

Committee

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2nd

3rd

Referred to Committee

Referred to Subcommittee

Subcommittee

Committee

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2nd

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General

Health Professions

Certified nurse midwives; licensed certified midwives; independent practice; organized medical staff. Permits licensed certified midwives who have completed 1,000 hours of practice under a practice agreement to practice without a practice agreement upon receipt of an attestation from the licensed physician or midwife with whom they entered into a practice agreement. The bill also permits certified nurse midwives and licensed certified midwives to enter into practice agreements with certified nurse midwives or licensed certified midwives who are authorized to practice independently. The bill directs the Department of Health to amend its regulations to clarify that an organized medical staff may include other practitioners, including independent practice midwives, in addition to physicians and dentists.

• Joshua G. Cole (chief patron)

• None

The language of HB1635 can be viewed here.

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Thank you Mr. Speaker: The bill directs the Department of Health to amend its regulations to clarify that an organized medical staff may include other practitioners, including independent practice midwives, in addition to physicians and dentists.

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Chair and Members of the Committee,

HB1635 strengthens maternal health care access in Virginia by expanding the independent practice of certified nurse midwives and licensed certified midwives. This bill aligns with national standards and recognizes the critical role of midwives in improving maternal and infant outcomes, especially in underserved areas. It ensures qualified midwives can practice independently after demonstrating experience, clarifies prescribing authority, and formally includes midwives in organized medical staff definitions.

The House passed this bill unanimously, and its cognate, SB1352, offers the Senate the opportunity to advance this bipartisan effort. I urge the committee’s support to improve maternal care and expand healthcare access in Virginia.