Midwifery is evidencing a growth in popularity due to a variety of reasons.  As a result, there has been a resurgence in the numbers and types of individuals who wish to practice midwifery.  State legislators, recognizing this trend have set out to regulate or license practioners in order to protect the public from harm.  Direct entry midwives do not carry a nurse's credential.

Thus far in the year 2000, there have been 21 legislative proposals in 12 states.  TN and WA have passed bills into law this session while GA adopted a bill to study Certified Professional Midwifery.  In TN a council will be established under the Board for Osteopathic Examination to regulate certified professional midwives.  WA voted to include licensed midwives as "health care practitioners" for the provision of health care services.  VT pending governor's signature, will have a law that requires licensing of professional midwives as specified by the North American Registry of Midwives.

VA has carried over a bill to 2001 that would permit midwifery licensure as set by the VA Board of Health Professions.  That bill would also require written protocols with a practicing physician and written consent forms from clients.  A similar bill in SD would have required written disclosures from clients for home births but did not pass.  A bill in IA establishing a midwifery board and licensure for a certified professional midwife also failed.  MS tried to prohibit the practice of midwifery for compensation except by physicians and nurses but also failed this year.