Read the full stored bill text
S4025
SENATE, No. 4025
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
�
INTRODUCED MARCH 19, 2026
Sponsored by:
Senator� JOSEPH F. VITALE
District 19 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
���� Provides for independent prescriptive authority for
midwives.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
���� As introduced.
��
An Act
concerning midwives and amending R.S.45:10-6 and
P.L.1991, c.97.
����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:
���� 1.��� R.S.45:10-6 is amended
to read as follows:
���� 45:10-6.� If the examination
is satisfactory, the board shall issue a license, signed by its president and
secretary and attested by its seal, entitling the candidate to practice
midwifery, but the license shall not authorize the holder to prescribe any drug
or medicine, except a preparation of ergot after the birth of the head of the
infant, or household remedies,
[
or
]
to attend
other than cases of labor
, or as authorized pursuant to section 2 of
P.L.1991, c.97 (C.45:10-18)
. All application papers shall be deposited in
the state library for at least two years, when they may be destroyed. Their
contents shall be recorded in the official register of the board kept for this
purpose which, or a certified copy thereof, shall be prima facie evidence of
all matters therein contained.
(cf: R.S.45:10-6)
���� 2.��� Section 1 of P.L.1991,
c.97 (C.45:10-17) is amended to read as follows:�
���� 1.��� As used in this act:
���� "Board" means the
State Board of Medical Examiners.
����
[
"Certified nurse
midwife" means a certified nurse midwife registered with the board.
]
�
���� "Drug" means drugs,
medicine and devices, as determined by the board.
����
�Midwife� means a certified
nurse midwife or a certified midwife registered with the board.
(cf: P.L.1991, c.97, s.1)
���� 3.��� Section 2 of P.L.1991,
c.97 (C.45:10-18) is amended to read as follows:
���� 2.��� A
[
certified
nurse
]
midwife who meets the qualifications pursuant to section 3 of this act may
prescribe drugs
[
,
as delineated in standing orders and practice protocols developed in agreement
between a certified nurse midwife and a collaborative physician.� The practice
protocols shall be established in accordance with standards adopted by the
board
]
.
(cf: P.L.1991, c.97, s.2)
���� 4.��� Section 3 of P.L.1991,
c.97 (C.45:10-19) is amended to read as follows:
���� 3.��� To qualify to prescribe
drugs pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.97 (C.45:10-18), a
[
certified
nurse
]
midwife shall have completed 30 contact hours, as defined by the National Task
Force on the Continuing Education Unit, in pharmacology or a pharmacology
course, acceptable to the board, in an accredited institution of higher
education approved by the Department of Higher Education or the board.� Such
contact hours shall include one credit of educational programs or topics on
issues concerning prescription opioid drugs, including responsible prescribing
practices, alternatives to opioids for managing and treating pain, and the
risks and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion.
(cf: P.L.2017, c.28, s.14)
���� 5.��� Section 4 of P.L.1991,
c.97 (C.45:10-20) is amended to read as follows:
���� 4.��� A
[
certified
nurse
]
midwife shall apply on a form prescribed by the board to obtain the authority
to prescribe drugs pursuant to section 2 of this act and shall present evidence
acceptable to the board of meeting the requirements of section 3 of this act.�
(cf: P.L.1991, c.97, s.4)
���� 6.��� Section 5 of P.L.1991,
c.97 (C.45:10-21) is amended to read as follows:
���� 5.��� If the board determines
that a
[
certified
nurse
]
midwife who is permitted to prescribe drugs pursuant to this act has violated
any provisions of this act or any provision of a regulation pertaining to
[
certified
nurse
]
midwives or violated any State or federal law or regulation applicable to the
prescription of drugs, the board shall prohibit that
[
certified nurse
]
midwife from
prescribing any drugs.�
(cf: P.L.1991, c.97, s.5)
�
���� 7.��� (New section) The State
Board of Medical Examiners shall promulgate rules and regulations, in
accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410
(C.52:14B-1 et seq.), as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of this
act.�
���� 8.��� This act shall take
effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill expands
the authority of midwives to prescribe drugs.
Under current law,
a certified nurse midwife (CNM) may be authorized to prescribe drugs if the CNM
has completed 30 contact hours in pharmacology, with at least one credit hour
on topics or issues concerning prescription opioid drugs.� A CNM who is approved
to prescribe drugs is authorized to do so in accordance with standing orders
and practice protocols developed in agreement between the CNM and a
collaborative physician, which practice protocols are to be consistent with
standards adopted by the State Board of Medical Examiners (BME).� Pursuant to
BME regulations, CNMs are restricted to prescribing the drugs outlined in a
formulary set forth in the clinical guidelines established between the CNM and
the collaborating physician, which drugs may include controlled dangerous
substances.� A licensed midwife is only authorized to prescribe a drug or
medicine when preparing an ergot after the birth of the head of the infant, or
household remedies, or to attend other than cases of labor.
���� This bill would revise these
requirements to provide that any certified midwife may prescribe drugs, and to
remove requirements that the midwife do so in accordance with standing orders
and practice protocols developed in agreement with a collaborative physician.�
The midwife would still be required to complete 30 hours of training in
pharmacology, including one credit hour on topics and issues related to
prescription opioid drugs.