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Senate advances nurse-midwife practice bill with formal intent language, placing SB 128 on third-reading
Summary
Senate debates Senate Bill 128 to unify midwifery licensing; sponsor Senator Holmgren read explicit intent language into the record to confirm the bill does not regulate lay midwives. The chamber placed the bill on the third-reading calendar after a roll call that recorded 28 ayes.
Senate Bill 128, introduced as the "Nurse Midwife Practice Act," drew sustained floor discussion before the Utah State Senate advanced the measure to third reading. Senator Holmgren presented the bill and highlighted support from the Health Department, the Utah Nurses Association, the University of Utah Department of OBGYN and LDS Hospital, saying the legislation consolidates licensing and professional standards for a specific group of certified midwives.
To address concerns from lay midwives and constituents, Holmgren read an intent statement into the legislative journal emphasizing that the bill "is not intended to regulate or restrict the practice of lay midwife" and that it does not change parents’ rights to choose how and with whom to deliver their children. Holmgren said the language was included specifically to avoid unintended impacts on noncertified lay midwives. Dave Robinson, introduced during the floor discussion, was cited as assuring the body that lay practitioners would not be affected.
Senators asked technical questions about whether existing code sections (including older citations of 58-44-11 referenced by members) had been replaced and whether the bill preempted existing practices. Some senators raised questions about temporary practice provisions that allow candidates to work under supervision before final exams; the sponsor and department representatives explained that the under-supervision practice has precedent and that trainees do not bill independently during that period.
After discussion, the Senate voted on the motion to place SB 128 on the third-reading calendar. The chair announced the roll call result as 28 ayes, no nays, and one absence; the bill was placed on the third-reading calendar.
The floor debate emphasized maintaining access to midwifery services while clarifying licensing for a subgroup of certified practitioners; the sponsor and supporters repeatedly stated the stated intent is to avoid restricting noncertified lay midwives.
