Oklahoma § 59-3040.5 - Advisory Committee on Midwifery

§ 59-3040.5. Advisory Committee on Midwifery

A. There is hereby created, to continue until July 1, 2026, an

Advisory Committee on Midwifery, which shall consist of seven (7)

voting members to be appointed by the State Commissioner of Health

as follows:

1. Three licensed midwives, each of whom has at least three (3)

years of experience in the practice of midwifery;

2. One Certified Nurse-Midwife;

3. One physician who is certified by a national professional

organization of physicians that certifies obstetricians and

gynecologists and supports the practice of midwifery;

4. One physician who is certified by a national professional

organization of physicians that certifies family practitioners or

pediatricians and supports the practice of midwifery; and

5. One member of the general public who is not practicing or

trained in a health care profession, and who is a parent with at

least one child born with the assistance of a licensed midwife or a

Certified Nurse-Midwife.

B. Members of the Committee shall be divided into three

classes. The initial terms of the first class shall expire on

January 31, 2023, and subsequent terms shall expire on January 31 of

each sixth year thereafter. The initial terms of the second class

shall expire on January 31, 2025, and subsequent terms shall expire

on January 31 of each sixth year thereafter. The initial terms of

the third class shall expire on January 31, 2027, and subsequent

terms shall expire on January 31 of each sixth year thereafter.

Members shall serve until a qualified successor has been duly

appointed. The Commissioner shall fill a vacancy no later than

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 59. Professions and Occupations

sixty (60) days from the date the vacancy occurs. No person shall

be appointed to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.

C. The Committee shall annually elect a chair and vice-chair

from among its members.

D. The Committee shall meet at least semiannually and at any

other time at the call of the chair or the Commissioner.

E. The Committee shall meet in accordance with the Oklahoma

Open Meeting Act.

F. A majority of the members of the Committee, including at

least two licensed midwives, shall constitute a quorum for the

conduct of Committee business.

G. 1. The Committee shall advise the Commissioner on all

matters pertaining to midwifery including but not limited to:

a.

scope and standards of practice,

b.

licensure requirements, examination requirements,

exceptions thereto, renewal requirements, temporary

licensure and endorsement or reciprocity requirements,

c.

methods and requirements for ensuring the continued

competence of licensed and registered persons

including the type of courses and number of hours

required to meet the basic midwifery education course

and continuing midwifery education course

requirements, and instructors or facilities used in

the basic and continuing education requirements,

d.

procedures for reporting of outcomes including, but

not limited to, live births and fetal, newborn or

maternal deaths,

e.

grounds for reporting and processing complaints,

violations, probation, revocation or suspension of

license or reinstatement provisions, and

f.

all other matters which may pertain to the practice of

midwifery.

2. The Committee shall review and make recommendations to the

Commissioner on all applications for licensure.

3. The Committee shall assist and advise the Commissioner in

all hearings related to the enforcement of Shepherd's Law. The

Committee shall review all complaints and make recommendations to

the Commissioner on appropriate disciplinary action including, but

not limited to, administrative fines, license revocation and license

suspension.

Added by Laws 2020, c. 40, § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 2020. Amended by Laws

2021, c. 411, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.