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SDPB Radio Coverage of the South Dakota Legislature. See all coverage and find links to audio and video streams live from the Capitol at www.sdpb.org/statehouse

State Committee Effectively Stops Midwifery Bill

The State House Health and Human Services Committee effectively defeated a measure that would change training methods for midwives in South Dakota. House Bill 10-65 allowed student midwives to assume the role of nurse practitioners or nurse midwives in certain circumstances. Representative Jacqueline Sly of Rapid City favored passage.

"The nearest school for certified professional midwifery is in New Mexico," Sly told the committee. "However, in this digital age, people can take classes on line, similar to other professions.

"Obviously, there is a component of a clinical training that needs to be completed—and this bill would allow a student working to become a certified professional midwife. To complete the clinical requirements while working with a preceptor who’s qualified, right here in South Dakota."

The measure received quite a bit of opposition from the state’s medical community—one person against the measure testified it would open up liability issues for those training the student midwives. Committee members deferred the bill to the 41st Day on a 10-to-three vote.