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Committee approves bill granting admitting, discharge and death-certificate privileges to certified nurse midwives
Summary
House Bill 11-81 would expand the scope of practice for certified nurse midwives by allowing hospitals to grant admitting and discharge privileges and permitting midwives to complete death certificates; the Senate committee approved the permissive measure by voice vote.
Representative Bentley presented House Bill 11-81 to the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, saying the measure extends parts of the scope of practice for certified nurse midwives.
Representative Bentley said the bill “allows for discharging and admitting privileges for certified nurse midwives and for them to allow to fill out the death certificate if that should happen, unfortunately.” She described the bill as adding to language the legislature passed two years earlier that expanded certified nurse-midwife practice.
Committee members sought clarification on whether privileges in the bill were permissive. The chair and the sponsor confirmed hospitals would retain discretion; the transcript records the exchange: “This is permissive, the hospital? Yes.”
The sponsor noted no opposition had been heard in advance of the hearing and highlighted workforce concerns, saying a certified nurse-midwife program is starting at UAMS in 2026 and the change could help retain providers in the state.
With no members of the public appearing for or against the bill, the committee moved and approved the measure by voice vote. The committee announced, “Ayes have it. Congratulations. You've passed house bill 11 81.” No roll-call vote was recorded in the committee transcript.
The bill leaves final authority with hospitals to grant admitting and discharge privileges and does not compel institutions to change credentialing practices, according to the sponsor’s statements during the hearing.
