Metro East Sun

There's a new law in Illinois aimed at improving the maternal health outcomes for new mothers by setting qualification, training, and educational standards for people to acquire a midwife certification.

State Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro), who co-sponsored the legislation, called Gov. J.B. Pritzker's (D-Ill.) signing the bill on Dec. 14 a major win for midwives and mothers in Illinois.

"The signing of this legislation into law is a momentous victory for the midwives of our state," Bryant wrote in a Facebook post. 

In addition to establishing standards, House Bill 3401, otherwise known as the Licensed Certified Professional Midwife Practice Act, also included a requirement for licensed certified midwives to work in closely with hospital-based and privileged health care professions to set high standards of performance for those licensed to deliver babies outside a hospital setting.

"For decades, they have been fighting to have their profession receive the official recognition that it rightfully deserves," Bryant wrote in the post.

According to a release from Bryant's office, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) would administer midwife licensure and certifications.

"This newly created certification process will ensure that they can safely continue their work for any mother who wishes to use their services and deliver out of a hospital," Bryant added.

Licensed midwives are required to have a valid Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) certification through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM), the release stated.

Midwives would also be required to finish a Midwife Education and Accreditation Council (MEAC) postsecondary midwifery education program. Those midwives who have been a CPM for more than three years who have their NARM accreditation without finishing a MEAC program can still be licensed if they obtain other certifications, according to the release.

The new law will take effect in October of next year.