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Board staff brief committee on SB 1302 sunset language on furnishing and prescribing for midwives
Summary
BRN staff presented proposed sunset-bill language (SB 1302) that could remove a separate midwife furnishing number and allow prescriptive authority on the nursing license; staff said consolidating renewals could reduce fees and administrative burden and highlighted the need to protect RN delegation and clarify standardized-procedure language.
Board staff presented an overview of the BRN's proposed sunset bill (SB 1302) and how the draft language could affect nurse midwifery practice. Staff outlined two central proposals: combining the midwife's separate furnishing number with the certificate/license to reduce duplicate applications and fees, and the longer-term ask to grant prescriptive authority on licensure rather than maintain a separate furnishing number.
Staff explained that California has been unique in requiring a separate furnishing number for midwives and that combining initial application and renewal could simplify licensing costs for out-of-state licensees and for renewals. "Right now it is required that you apply for your RN then you apply for your midwife and then you apply for your midwife furnishing and then you apply for schedule two," staff told the committee, noting renewal costs could approach a thousand dollars across multiple certificates.
Staff also raised a related policy issue about orders and RN delegation: removal of standardized procedures for furnishing had created a gray area about whether RNs may follow orders placed by APRNs and midwives. To protect RN practice, staff said the sunset ask included clarifying statutory language so RNs can follow orders midwives place in settings where that has historically occurred under hospital bylaws or standardized procedures.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about which items from the BRN's list of suggested changes might be taken up by legislators and about timelines for amendment. Staff said the bill is in early policy stages, amendments are expected, and final language is uncertain until later in the session; the committee recorded the briefing as information-only.
Public commenters representing the California Nurse Midwives Association asked staff to help licensees who encounter administrative barriers to schedule II designation and to confirm that required advanced pharmacology is part of initial midwifery training rather than an additional continuing-education barrier.
