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HB 4747WEST VIRGINIASession 2026State Billdead
Did Not Advance

West Virginia Bill Establishes Licensing and Practice Rules for Certified Professional Midwives

Original title: Creating the Certified Professional Midwife Licensing and Regulation Act

Last action · January 22, 2026: To House Government OrganizationSponsor: Kayla Young

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Delegate Young introduced House Bill 4747 to create the Certified Professional Midwife Licensing and Regulation Act, establishing mandatory state licensure, practice standards, and disciplinary rules for midwives under the West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses. The legislation sets out application requirements, renewal terms, risk assessment protocols, emergency transfer procedures, and penalties for unlicensed practice.

Why it matters

Establishes legal recognition and oversight for certified professional midwives in West Virginia, setting specific clinical consultation triggers, medication and medical test authorities, and misdemeanor penalties for practicing without a valid state license.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Certified professional midwives

Must obtain a state license, meet NARM certification requirements, follow specified risk assessment protocols, and adhere to Board of Registered Nurses regulations to practice legally.

Directly affected

West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses

Assumes responsibility for issuing, renewing, reinstating, suspending, or revoking midwife licenses and proposing legislative rules.

Directly affected

Clients receiving midwife care

Receive mandated risk assessments, required medical recordkeeping, established emergency transfer protocols, and care under licensed practitioners.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What medications can a licensed midwife use?
A licensed midwife may use medications and devices necessary for providing midwife care, but is strictly prohibited from obtaining or using any drug listed in Schedule I through V of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.
What happens if certain high-risk medical conditions arise during pregnancy or labor?
The licensed midwife must consult with an appropriate obstetrical provider and select either or , and document the recommendation in the client's record. If a client refuses an indicated referral for an acute danger, the midwife must call 911.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

4 actions
  1. Jan 22, 2026HouseCommittee
    To House Government Organization
  2. Jan 22, 2026HouseIntroduced
    Introduced in House
  3. Jan 22, 2026HouseCommittee
    To Government Organization
  4. Jan 22, 2026HouseIntroduced
    Filed for introduction

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Kayla YoungHouse · District 56DemocraticPrimary sponsor

Connected Entities

North American Registry of Midwives, Kayla Young, West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses and 1 more
OrganizationNorth American Registry of Midwives“Organization issuing the certified professional midwife credential”Map →
PersonKayla Young“Delegate who introduced House Bill 4747”Map →
OrganizationWest Virginia Board of Registered Nurses“Board designated to issue licenses and propose rules under the act”Map →
OrganizationNational Association of Certified Professional Midwives“Organization providing practice guidelines for midwife care”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.wvlegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance20
    Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
  • Controversy40
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz25
    Current news / social attention level

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