[§457J-2]  Definitions.  As used in this chapter:

     "Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education" means the United States Department of Education-recognized commission that provides accreditation and pre-accreditation of certificates, post-baccalaureates, graduate degrees, and pre-certificate programs in nurse-midwifery and midwifery.

     "American Midwifery Certification Board" means the national certifying body for certified nurse-midwife candidates and certified midwife candidates who have received their graduate level education in programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education.

     "Certified midwife" means a person who holds a current and valid national certification as a certified midwife from the American Midwifery Certification Board, or any successor organization.

     "Certified professional midwife" means a person who holds a current and valid national certification as a certified professional midwife from the North American Registry of Midwives, or any successor organization.

     "Client" means a person under the care of a licensed midwife, as well as the person's fetus and newborn child.

     "Department" means the department of commerce and consumer affairs.

     "Director" means the director of commerce and consumer affairs.

     "Interconception" means care provided to mothers between pregnancies to improve health outcomes for women, newborns, and children.

     "International Confederation of Midwives" means the accredited nongovernmental organization and representative of midwives and midwifery to organizations worldwide to achieve common goals in the care of mothers and newborns.

     "Midwife" means a person licensed under this chapter.

     "Midwifery" means the provision of one or more of the following services:

     (1)  Assessment, monitoring, and care during pregnancy, labor, childbirth, postpartum and interconception periods, and for newborns, including ordering and interpreting screenings and diagnostic tests, and carrying out appropriate emergency measures when necessary;

     (2)  Supervising the conduct of labor and childbirth; and

     (3)  Provision of advice and information regarding the progress of childbirth and care for newborns and infants.

     "Midwifery Education Accreditation Council" means the independent, nonprofit organization recognized by the United States Department of Education as an accrediting agency of direct-entry midwifery institutions and programs.

     "North American Registry of Midwives" means the organization that sets national standards for the certified professional midwife credential.

     "Postpartum" means the period of time immediately after and up to eight weeks following the birth of the baby.

     "Qualified midwife preceptor" means a licensed and experienced midwife, or other maternal health professional licensed in the State, who participates in the clinical education of individuals enrolled in a midwifery education program accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council or Accreditation Commission For Midwifery Education and who meets the criteria for midwife preceptors set forth by the applicable organization. [L 2019, c 32, pt of §2]