HB 2520
An Act amending the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985, further providing for definitions and for midwifery.
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill amends the Medical Practice Act of 1985 to formally define ‘lay midwife’ as an individual who provides support during pregnancy, labor, and childbirth but is not licensed as a midwife. It introduces specific requirements for informed consent when lay midwives provide services, including detailed disclosures about their training and experience, the lack of licensure, and plans for addressing medical issues and transferring care to licensed providers. The bill also clarifies that lay midwives without a license are not subject to Commonwealth regulation outside of these informed consent requirements.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘lay midwife’ as an unlicensed individual providing support during pregnancy and childbirth.
- Requires lay midwives to obtain informed consent from clients before providing services.
- The informed consent statement must include details about the midwife’s training and lack of licensure.
- The informed consent statement must outline a plan to address medical issues and transfer care to licensed providers.
- Requires lay midwives to retain signed consent statements for at least four years.
- Provides an exception for individuals adhering to religious tenets opposed to modern medical practice and licensure.
Who is affected
- Pregnant individuals
- Lay midwives
- Licensed midwives
- Healthcare providers
- The medical community
Notable changes
- Establishes a formal definition of ‘lay midwife’ within the Medical Practice Act.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Benjamin Sanchez
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