1. (a) A licensed direct-entry midwife shall develop a general written plan for their practice for:

   1. (1) Emergency transfer of a patient, newborn, or both;
   2. (2) Transport of a newborn to a newborn nursery or neonatal intensive care nursery; and
   3. (3) Transport of a patient to an appropriate hospital with a labor and delivery unit.
2. (b) The Committee shall review and recommend approval to the Board of the plan required under subsection (a) of this section.

3. (c)

   1. (1) In addition to the general written plan required under subsection (a) of this section, a licensed direct-entry midwife shall prepare a plan that is specific to each patient and share the plan with the patient.

   2. (2) The plan required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall:

      1. (i) Include procedures and processes to be undertaken in the event of an emergency for the mother, the newborn, or both;
      2. (ii) Identify the hospital closest to the address of the planned home birth that has a labor and delivery unit;
      3. (iii) Include a care plan for the newborn; and
      4. (iv) Identify the pediatric health care practitioner who will be notified after delivery in accordance with § 8-6C-02(b)(15) of this subtitle to receive the transfer of care of the newborn.

4. (d)

   1. (1) The Board, in consultation with stakeholders, shall develop a standard form for use in all cases in which a transfer occurs during prenatal care, labor, or postpartum.
   2. (2) The form shall include the medical information needed by the health care practitioner receiving the patient.

5. (e) After a decision to transport a patient has been made, the licensed direct-entry midwife shall:

   1. (1) Call the receiving health care provider;
   2. (2) Inform the health care provider of the incoming patient;
   3. (3) Accompany the patient to the hospital if determined to be appropriate by the licensed direct-entry midwife and the receiving health care provider; and

   4. (4) Provide:

      1. (i) To the staff of the hospital:

         1. 1. The standard form developed under subsection (d) of this section; and
         2. 2. The medical records of the patient or newborn, as determined by the Board in regulations and as requested by the receiving health care provider; and
      2. (ii) To the accepting health care practitioner, a verbal summary of the care provided to the patient by the licensed direct-entry midwife.

Added by Acts 2015, c. 393, § 1, eff. June 1, 2015. Amended by Acts 2018, c. 528, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2018; Acts 2018, c. 529, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2018; Acts 2025, c. 644, § 1, eff. June 1, 2025; Acts 2025, c. 645, § 1, eff. June 1, 2025.