Signed by Governor JB Pritzker

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends and expands the scope of practice for certified nurse midwives and advanced practice registered nurses by allowing broader collaborative agreements in Illinois.

Highlights:

• Authorizes certified nurse midwives to provide birth care outside of hospitals at licensed birth centers without needing a written agreement with a doctor, as long as they are approved by the birth center’s clinical director (Sec. 65-44(a)). 

• Authorizes certified nurse midwives to provide birth care in out-of-hospital locations if they have a written agreement with another advanced practice nurse, with full practice authority, but only in areas with shortages in health or maternity care (Sec. 65-44(b)).

• Limits when doctors can be liable for the actions of nurses they collaborate with. Doctors, even with a written agreement, are not held responsible unless they knew the nurse was unsafe or unqualified (Sec. 65-70(a)). 

• Specifies that doctors, even with a written agreement, are not responsible for the provided care during home births by nurse midwives unless the doctor was directly involved in that care (Sec. 65-70(b)).

Full Bill Text