Ar Rules And Regulations For Licensed Midwifery

Front 1

Under Section 100. General Provisions

101. Purpose and Authority (pt 1)

Back 1

It was determined by the General Assembly that adequate maternal care is not readily available in some parts of the state resulting in undue hardships to poor expectant mothers. Act 838 of 1983 provided for the lawful practice of Lay Midwifery in counties having 32.5% or more of this population below the poverty level. Act 481 of 1987 supercedes Act 838 of 1983, and expands the Lay Midwife licensure statewide.

The following Rules and Regulations are promulgated pursuant to the authority conferred by A.C.A. 17-85-101 et.seq. and A.C.A. 20-7-109 et.seq.

Front 2

Under Section 100. General Provisions

101. Purpose and Authority (pt 2)

Back 2

Specifically, Act 481 directs the Arkansas State Board of Health to administer the provisions of Act 481, authorizes and directs the Board to adopt regulations governing the qualifications for licensure of Lay Midwives and the practice of Lay Midwifery. The broad authority vested in the Board of Health (Act 96 of 1913) to regulate and to ultimately protect the health of the public is the same authority the Board will utilize in enforcing the regulations, determining sanctions, revoking licenses, etc.

Front 3

Under Section 100. General Provisions

102. Administration Program (pt 1)

Back 3

The State Board of Health has delegated the authority to administer the program, including the regulating and licensing of Lay Midwives, to the AR Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health, 4815 W. Markham, LR, AR 72205

The Board of Health shall establish an advisory board to oversee the practice of Licensed Lay Midwives. The composition of the advisory board will be as follows:
1. Four Licensed Lay Midwives
2. One Certified Nurse Midwife.
3. One Physician who is currently practicing obstetrics.
4. Three consumers of midwifery service. (A consumer of midwifery service is a woman or her spouse who has had a midwife attended birth or someone who promotes midwifery or home birth in AR).

The purpose of the Advisory Board shall be to advise the Division of Health and Board of health on matters pertaining to the regulation of Lay Midwifery practice.

Front 4

Under Section 100. General Provisions

102. Administration Program (pt 2)

Back 4

The terms and conditions of membership are as follows:
1. The board of health will appoint midwifery advisory board (M.A.B) members for terms of at least 3 years.
2. Members may serve 2 consecutive terms.
3. Members will serve their terms on a volunteer basis.
4. The activities of the MAB include, but are not limited to, advising the Division of Health and Board of Health by: a) Meeting at least annually and as needed at the discretion of the Midwifery Advisory Board Chairperson.
b) Reviewing the rules and regulations and proposing changes to them as needed.
c) Reviewing and approving continuing education offerings.
d) Serving as a community liaison regarding the practice of midwifery.