HB 838

Health Occupations - Licensed Direct-Entry Midwives - Revisions

Sponsor: Bonnie Cullison (District 19)Committee: Health and Government OperationsSubject: Health OccupationsStatus: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 645 (as of Dec 1, 2025)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Altering the scope of practice of licensed direct-entry midwives; providing that the practice of direct-entry midwifery is independent and not does not require oversight by another health care practitioner; repealing the requirement that licensed direct-entry midwives report certain information to the Direct-Entry Midwifery Advisory Committee; altering the disciplinary actions that may be taken against a licensed direct-entry midwife or an applicant for a license; etc.

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Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.

Testimony (0)

MGA witness list

FAV 20FavorableFWA 3Favorable with amendmentsUNF 4Unfavorable

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	Reiner, Elizabeth	Association of Independent Midwives of Maryland	Oral
FAV	Watts, Jessica	Association of Independent Midwives of Maryland	Written (PDF)
FAV	Barocca, Paige	Association of Independent Midwives of Maryland (AIMM)	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Cullison, Delegate, Bonnie	Delegate Bonnie Cullison	Written (PDF)
FAV	McDonough, Caitlinlobbyist	HJM	Oral
FAV	Brandon, Kirra	Maryland Families for Safe Birth	Written (PDF)
FAV	Campbell, Valerie	Maryland Families for Safe Birth	Oral
FAV	Chaffee, Jennifer	Maryland Families for Safe Birth	Oral
FAV	Eldridge, Laura	Maryland Families for Safe Birth	Oral
FAV	Nash, Lynnlobbyist	Maryland Military Coalition / Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Services	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Jones, Dana	Women's Caucus	Written (PDF)
FAV	Milgate, Karen	midwifery practice	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Alexander, Jennifer	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Brody, Tova	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Brody, Tova	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Delegate Cullison, Delegate Cullisonlegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Manela, Caitlin	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Pontarolo-Maag, Katherine	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Reed Carroll, Callai	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Williams, Nikki	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
UNF	Lynch, Meghan	Maryland Department of Health	Written (PDF)
UNF	(MD), State of Maryland	Individual	Written (PDF)
UNF	Brocato, Deborahlobbyist	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
UNF	Jordan, Dr. Rachel	Individual	Position only
FWA	Mehu, Natashalobbyist	Maryland Hospital Association	Oral + Written (PDF)
FWA	Elliott, Robynlobbyist	Individual	Written (PDF)
FWA	Krone, Christinelobbyist	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)

Organizations on record

Association of Independent Midwives of MarylandFAV 2

Association of Independent Midwives of Maryland (AIMM)FAV 1

Delegate Bonnie CullisonFAV 1

HJMFAV 1

Maryland Department of HealthUNF 1

Maryland Families for Safe BirthFAV 4

Maryland Hospital AssociationFWA 1

Maryland Military Coalition / Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health ServicesFAV 1

midwifery practiceFAV 1

Women's CaucusFAV 1

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVMcDonough, CaitlinHJMRegistered for: AbbVie Inc.; Aligned Data Centers; American Academy of Anesthesiology Assistants, Inc.; Associated Builders & Contractors; Association of Independent Midwives of Maryland (AIMM); Baltimore Gas and Electric Company…

FAVNash, LynnMaryland Military Coalition / Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health ServicesRegistered for: Maryland Military Coalition

UNFBrocato, DeborahRegistered for: Maryland Right to Life, Inc.

FWAMehu, NatashaMaryland Hospital AssociationRegistered for: Maryland Hospital Association; Maryland Patient Care and Access Coalition; Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants; Maryland Academy of Advanced Practice Clinicians; Baltimore Washington Rapid Rail, LLC; Maryland Works, Inc.…

FWAElliott, RobynRegistered for: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists; Amica Center for Immigrant Rights; CareForth; Chase Brexton Health System; Coordinating Center, The; Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition…

FWAKrone, ChristineRegistered for: American Coatings Association; Baltimore Gas and Electric Company; City of Rockville; Coordinating Center for Home and Community Care, The, LLC (dba The Coordinating Center); Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work, Inc.; LifeSpan Network…