1. A. In this chapter the following terms have the meanings indicated.

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) “Accompany the patient to the hospital” means, in the case of a transfer of care to a hospital, the direct-entry midwife:

      1. (a) If possible, will ride in the ambulance with the patient; or
      2. (b) Travel by other means to the hospital.

   2. (2) “ACME” means the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education or a successor organization that is:

      1. (a) An accrediting agency for nurse-midwifery and direct-entry midwifery education programs; and
      2. (b) Approved by the United States Department of Education.
   3. (3) “AIMM” means the Association of Independent Midwives of Maryland or a successor organization that is a professional organization representing independent midwives in the State.
   4. (4) “Board” means the State Board of Nursing.
   5. (5) “Committee” means the Direct-Entry Midwifery Advisory Committee established under Health Occupations Article, §8-6C-11, Annotated Code of Maryland.

   6. (6) “Electronic device” means, but is not limited to, any of the following:

      1. (a) Telephone;
      2. (b) Telephone answering device;
      3. (c) Facsimile machine, photocopier, and scanner for copying; and
      4. (d) Computer.

   7. (7) “Health care practitioner” means an individual certified or licensed under Health Occupations Article, Annotated Code of Maryland as a:

      1. (a) Nurse-midwife;
      2. (b) Nurse practitioner; or
      3. (c) Physician.
   8. (8) “Health care provider” means a health care practitioner or a hospital and the agents or employees of a health care practitioner or a hospital.
   9. (9) “Hospital” has the meaning stated in Health-General Article, §19-301, Annotated Code of Maryland.

   10. (10) Licensed Direct-Entry Midwife.

       1. (a) “Licensed direct-entry midwife” means an individual who has been granted a license under Health Occupations Article, Title 8, Annotated Code of Maryland, to practice direct-entry midwifery.
       2. (b) “Licensed direct-entry midwife” does not include a licensed registered nurse certified as a nurse-midwife under Health Occupations Article, Title 8, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   11. (11) “Low-risk pregnancy” means a pregnancy, labor, and delivery and postpartum, newborn, and interconceptional care that does not include a condition that requires a mandatory transfer under Regulation .03 of this chapter.
   12. (12) “MEAC” means the Midwifery Education and Accreditation Council or a successor organization that is a national accreditation agency for midwifery education approved by the United States Department of Education.
   13. (13) “NARM” means the North American Registry of Midwives or a successor organization approved by the Board that is an international certification agency that establishes and administers certification for the certified professional midwife credential.

   14. (14) “Patient” means:

       1. (a) A woman for whom a licensed direct-entry midwife performs services: and
       2. (b) A woman’s newborn for the purpose of perinatal or postpartum care.
   15. (15) “Postpartum period” means the first 6 weeks after delivery.

   16. (16) “Practice direct-entry midwifery” means:

       1. (a) Providing maternity care that is consistent with a midwife’s training, education, and experience;
       2. (b) Identifying and referring patients who require medical care to an appropriate health care provider; and
       3. (c) Includes the activities described in Regulation .02 of this chapter.

Authority: Health-General Article, §§8-205 and Title 8, Subtitle 6C, Annotated Code of Maryland;
Ch. 383, Acts of 2015

Effective date: December 19, 2016 (43:25 Md. R. 1385)

Regulation .15B amended as an emergency provision effective July 11, 2023 (50:15 Md. R. 680); adopted permanently effective October 16, 2023 (50:20 Md. R. 887)