The Utah House on Tuesday approved 41-30 a bill (HB 25) that would legalize direct-entry midwifery in the state and allow such midwives to be certified, the Salt Lake City Deseret Morning News reports (Salt Lake City Deseret Morning News, 2/9). The original version of the legislation, which was introduced by state Rep. Jackie Biskupski (D), would require individuals seeking a voluntary midwifery license to complete a three-year program, including 1,350 hours of clinical education. In order for the midwives to be licensed, they must complete a state pharmacology course and pass written and practical skill tests. Midwives who have received a license then could provide prenatal care and administer certain drugs to a women and infants during and after labor and delivery. A similar bill (HB 227) -- which was approved by the Utah House in February 2004 but rejected by a state Senate committee -- would have required midwives who have not met the certification requirements established by the American College of Nurse-Midwives to obtain certification through an association such as the North American Registry of Midwives. The bill also would have allowed certified direct-entry midwives to use fetal monitors, perform deliveries in any out-of-hospital setting, and perform and suture episiotomies. Under the legislation's provisions, the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing would have overseen direct-entry midwife certification for the state. The certification guidelines would have included three years of study with 1,800 hours of class time and 1,350 clinical hours (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report, 1/26). Biskupski said that the Utah Medical Association and other health professionals groups endorsed her measure after "extensive amendments" were made to the original version of the bill, according to the Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City Deseret Morning News, 2/9).