The general assembly recognizes the need for a person to have the freedom to choose the manner, cost, and setting for giving birth. The general assembly finds that access to prenatal care and delivery services is limited by the inadequate number of providers of such services and that the practice of midwifery may help to […]
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise: “Antepartal” means occurring during pregnancy; “Board” means the board of osteopathic examiners of the department of health to which the council of certified professional midwifery reports; “Certified professional midwife (CPM)” means a person who has obtained national certification from the North American Registry of Midwives; […]
There is hereby established a council of certified professional midwifery, which shall serve as a subcommittee of and report to the board. The council members shall be appointed by the commissioner of health. The council shall consist of six (6) members. Members shall be residents of Tennessee. Members shall consist of three (3) certified professional […]
The terms of office of the members of the council shall be staggered four-year terms. In making the initial appointments, the commissioner shall appoint four (4) members to four-year terms, three (3) members to three-year terms and two (2) members to two-year terms. All subsequent terms shall be for a period of four (4) years. […]
When a council member is absent from three (3) consecutive meetings without excuse, that member shall be removed from office, and a new member shall be appointed by the commissioner of health. An absence shall be deemed excused if caused by a health problem or condition verified in writing by a physician, or by an […]
The council members shall elect annually from their membership a chair and vice chair. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members. No final action shall be taken on any matter without a quorum and majority vote of the members present. The council shall meet at least once each year. Emergency meetings may […]
The council shall: Assist and advise the board and the department in developing rules with guidance from the Midwives Alliance of North America’s Core Competencies and not inconsistent with the law. The rules shall include, but not be limited to, the allowable scope of midwifery practice regarding use of equipment, procedures, and administration of medication […]
A midwife who has met the standards set forth in this chapter may apply to the board for Tennessee certification. An application for Tennessee certification shall provide information as required by this section and as may be required by the board. Except for the American College of Nurse Midwives certified midwives and certified nurse midwives, […]
A midwife who is certified under the standard found in § 63-29-108 may use the initials “CPM-TN.” An initial certificate is available for no more than a two-year period. The certificate is renewable pursuant to the division of health related boards’ biennial birthdates renewal system. Renewal is available to the CPM who maintains current certification […]
Any CPM who is not practicing midwifery in Tennessee may be placed in inactive status by requesting such status in writing and submitting it to the council. Active status may be renewable by requesting a change of status from inactive to active in writing to the council and by fulfilling the requirements for renewal set […]
Any CPM who does not seek inactive status and allows the certificate to expire after a sixty-day grace period must apply for a new certificate as prescribed in this chapter.
The application and renewal fees are to be set by the commissioner of health and shall not be less than that sum necessary to permit the council to recover its costs of operation.
The certificate shall be displayed at all times in a conspicuous place where the CPM-TN is practicing, when applicable.
A CPM-TN’s license may be revoked or suspended for any of the grounds set forth in subdivision (a)(2), or for failing to follow the standards set forth in this section. Such action may occur only after investigations by the department. Any action on the certification shall be made by the council, subject to approval by […]
The CPM-TN may provide care for the low-risk client who is expected to have a normal pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartal phase in the setting of the mother’s choice. The CPM-TN shall form a collaborative care plan with a physician for all clients. The CPM-TN shall ensure that the client has signed an informed consent […]
The board and department, with assistance and advice from the council, are authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. All such rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
