1. (a) The State Board of Health shall establish and appoint the Midwifery Advisory Board (MAB) to advise the Department of Health and the State Board of Health on matters pertaining to the regulation of midwifery.

2. (b) Purpose, duties, and responsibilities.

   1. (1) Reviewing and advising the department and the State Board of Health regarding the rules.
   2. (2) Reviewing and advising the department regarding approval of continuing education units (CEUs).
   3. (3) Reviewing and advising the department regarding quality improvement data and information.
   4. (4) Serving as community liaisons to educate the public and other providers regarding the practice of midwifery.
   5. (5) Promoting the safe practice of midwifery by addressing issues and concerns regarding the practice of midwifery of the department, State Board of Health, public consumers of midwifery services, and LLMs.

   6. (6) Reviewing reports.

      1. (A) Statistical reports.

3. (i) A draft of the annual LLM statistical report will be available to MAB members for comment prior to the presentation to the State Board of Health.

   1. (ii) Up to two (2) MAB members may consult with department program staff in determining the plan for the collection of data.

      1. (B) Disciplinary case reports.

         1. (i) The department will notify the MAB of all disciplinary hearings taken before the State Board of Health.
         2. (ii) A copy of the final order will be made available to the MAB.
         3. (c) Composition of the MAB. The composition of the MAB will be as follows:
   2. (1) Four (4) Arkansas LLMs;
   3. (2) One (1) CNM, currently licensed as a CNM in Arkansas, preferably practicing;
   4. (3) One (1) member at large; and

   5. (4) Three (3) public consumers who have either had a midwife-attended birth, are the spouse of someone who has had a midwife-attended birth, or are persons who have been involved in promoting midwifery or home birth in the State of Arkansas.

      1. (d) Nomination of members.

   6. (1)

      1. (A) Members of the MAB are appointed by the State Board of Health.
      2. (B) The State Board of Health requests nominations from the MAB through the department.

   7. (2) The process for applying to serve on the MAB is as follows:

      1. (A) Individuals interested in either proposing a nomination or serving on the MAB must obtain an “Application for Midwifery Advisory Board Appointment” from the MAB; and
      2. (B) The applicant will complete the application form and submit it to the MAB according to the instructions.

4. (e) Terms of Midwifery Advisory Board members.

   1. (1) Midwifery Advisory Board (MAB) members shall serve terms of up to four (4) years.
   2. (2) No member may serve more than two (2) consecutive full terms.
   3. (3) Members may be eligible for reappointment two (2) years after the date of the expiration of the second full term.

5. (f) Organizational structure of the Midwifery Advisory Board.

   1. (1) MAB members shall establish and annually review the Bylaws of the Midwifery Advisory Board.
   2. (2) Additionally, an organizational chart with delegation of duties of MAB members and officers shall be developed.
   3. (3) MAB members shall elect a chair, vice-chair, and secretary at its first meeting each year that will serve until their successors are elected.
   4. (4) The MAB will schedule and conduct meetings at least two (2) times a year and at other times, as necessary.

Codification Notes: "CEU" means continuing education unit. "CNM" means certified nurse midwife. "LLM" means licensed lay midwife.