Colorado § 12-225-101 - Scope of article - exemptions - legislative declaration.

§ 12-225-101. Scope of article - exemptions - legislative declaration.

(1) (a) This article 225 applies only to direct-entry midwives and does not apply to those persons who are otherwise licensed by the state of Colorado under this title 12 if the practice of midwifery is within the scope of that licensure.

(b) (I) A person who is a certified nurse-midwife authorized pursuant to section 12-255-111, a certified midwife authorized pursuant to section 12-255-111.5, or a physician as provided in article 240 of this title 12 shall not simultaneously be so licensed and also be registered under this article 225. A physician, certified nurse-midwife, or certified midwife who holds a license in good standing may relinquish the license and subsequently be registered under this article 225.

(II) A direct-entry midwife shall not represent oneself as a nurse-midwife, certified nurse-midwife, or certified midwife.

(III) The fact that a direct-entry midwife may hold a practical or professional nursing license does not expand the scope of practice of the direct-entry midwife.

(IV) The fact that a practical or professional nurse may be registered as a direct-entry midwife does not expand the scope of practice of the nurse.

(c) It is the intent of the general assembly that health care be provided pursuant to this article 225 as an alternative to traditional licensed health care and not for the purpose of enabling providers of traditional licensed health care to circumvent the regulatory oversight to which they are otherwise subject under any other part or article of this title 12.

(2) Nothing in this article 225 shall be construed to prohibit, or to require registration under this article 225, with regard to:

(a) The gratuitous rendering of services in an emergency;

(b) The rendering of services by a physician licensed pursuant to article 240 of this title 12 or otherwise legally authorized to practice in this state;

(c) The rendering of services by certified nurse-midwives or certified midwives properly licensed and practicing in accordance with part 1 of article 255 of this title 12; or

(d) The practice by persons licensed or registered under any law of this state, in accordance with that law, to practice a limited field of the healing arts not specifically designated in this section.

Source: L. 2019: Entire title R&RE with relocations, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1131, § 1, effective October 1. L. 2020: (2)(c) amended, (HB 20-1183), ch. 157, p. 698, § 45, effective July 1. L. 2023: (1)(b)(I), (1)(b)(II), and (2)(c) amended, (SB 23-167), ch. 261, p. 1541, § 40, effective May 25.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 12-37-101 as it existed prior to 2019.