Committee refers bill to license certified midwives after testimony on maternal health access

The House Health Finance and Policy Committee voted to refer House File 1010, the Minnesota Certified Midwife Act, as amended to the judiciary, finance and civil law committee on a voice vote after more than an hour of testimony and member questions.

The bill would create a pathway to licensure for certified midwives in Minnesota, allowing individuals who complete a certified midwife graduate program and pass the same certification exam used for certified nurse midwives to practice with a scope of care similar to certified nurse midwives but without first holding a nursing license.

Supporters told the committee the measure would expand access to maternal care in rural areas and communities of color. "Today I'm presenting House File 1010, which is the Minnesota Certified Midwife Act. It's a bipartisan bill in both chambers establishing a new pathway for midwifery in Minnesota," Representative Agbaje said. She described the licensure as an "evidence based strategy" to increase the midwifery workforce and its diversity.

Mandy Huber, a certified nurse midwife and member of the board of the Minnesota affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives, told the committee the certified…