ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5404

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: OCTOBER 22, 2026

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 5404.

      As amended, this bill modifies State regulation of midwives.  Specifically, the bill repeals the current law requiring approval for licensure of midwives by the State Board of Medical Examiners, removes the midwife member from the board, dissolves the Midwifery Liaison Committee, and establishes a State Board of Midwifery.  The board is to consist of 11 members and will oversee the licensure of certified midwives (CMs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and certified professional midwives (CPMs). 

      Among other items, the bill:

      1)  delineates the responsibilities of the board, which include the approval of licensure applications; maintenance of records of each licensee; and recognition of entities accrediting midwifery education programs and national entities issuing midwifery certifications;

      2)   establishes continuing education requirements, directs the board to establish the continuing education in certain subjects, and guides licensees and the board regarding excess continuing education credits earned in a biennial period;

      3)  requires applicants to meet certain standards to qualify for a license;

      4)  authorizes the State Board of Midwifery to grant individuals currently licensed as a CM, CNM, or CPM by the State Board of Medical Examiners a license at that same level;

      5)   stipulates requirements midwives are to meet in order to provide services;

      6)   incorporates under what circumstances a licensed midwife may be disciplined;

      7)   delineates the requirements for a licensed midwife to establish a standalone practice to provide midwifery services;

      8)   requires the annual submission of various data from licensed midwives; and

      9)   establishes the limits of medical malpractice liability insurance needed for licensed midwives.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

      1)   add definitions of “clinical guidelines,” “collaboration/collaborative management,” “consultation,” “referral,” “transfer,” and “well woman care;”

      2)   account for the dissolution of the Midwifery Liaison Committee;

      3)   establish the circumstances under which current regulations remain in effect;

      4)   specify certain regulation to be promulgated by the State Board of Midwifery;

      5)   stipulates requirements midwives are to meet in order to provide services;

      6)   direct the board to establish continuing education requirements in certain subjects;

      7)   guide licensees and the board regarding excess continuing education credits earned in a biennial period;

      8)   incorporate under what circumstances a licensed midwife may be disciplined;

      9)   delineate the requirements for a licensed midwife to establish a standalone practice to provide midwifery services;

      10)  require the annual submission of various data from licensed midwives;

      11)  establish the limits of medical malpractice liability insurance needed for licensed midwives;

      12)  incorporate midwives into the “New Jersey Health Care Transparency Act;”

      13)  remove the certified nurse midwife member from the State Board of Medical Examiners; and

      14)  make technical updates to the effective date.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      Fiscal information is currently unavailable.