.01 Definitions.
A. In this chapter the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B. Terms Defined.
(1) "Accompany the patient to the hospital" means, in the case of a transfer of care to a hospital, the direct-entry midwife:
(a) If possible, will ride in the ambulance with the patient; or
(b) Travel by other means to the hospital.
(2) "ACME" means the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education or a successor organization that is:
(a) An accrediting agency for nurse-midwifery and direct-entry midwifery education programs; and
(b) Approved by the United States Department of Education.
(3) "AIMM" means the Association of Independent Midwives of Maryland or a successor organization that is a professional organization representing independent midwives in the State.
(4) "Board" means the State Board of Nursing.
(5) "Committee" means the Direct-Entry Midwifery Advisory Committee established under Health Occupations Article, §8-6C-11, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(6) "Electronic device" means, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(a) Telephone;
(b) Telephone answering device;
(c) Facsimile machine, photocopier, and scanner for copying; and
(d) Computer.
(7) "Health care practitioner" means an individual certified or licensed under Health Occupations Article, Annotated Code of Maryland as a:
(a) Nurse-midwife;
(b) Nurse practitioner; or
(c) Physician.
(8) "Health care provider" means a health care practitioner or a hospital and the agents or employees of a health care practitioner or a hospital.
(9) "Hospital" has the meaning stated in Health-General Article, §19-301, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(10) Licensed Direct-Entry Midwife.
(a) "Licensed direct-entry midwife" means an individual who has been granted a license under Health Occupations Article, Title 8, Annotated Code of Maryland, to practice direct-entry midwifery.
(b) "Licensed direct-entry midwife" does not include a licensed registered nurse certified as a nurse-midwife under Health Occupations Article, Title 8, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(11) "Low-risk pregnancy" means a pregnancy, labor, and delivery and postpartum, newborn, and interconceptional care that does not include a condition that requires a mandatory transfer under Regulation .03 of this chapter.
(12) "MEAC" means the Midwifery Education and Accreditation Council or a successor organization that is a national accreditation agency for midwifery education approved by the United States Department of Education.
(13) "NARM" means the North American Registry of Midwives or a successor organization approved by the Board that is an international certification agency that establishes and administers certification for the certified professional midwife credential.
(14) "Patient" means:
(a) A woman for whom a licensed direct-entry midwife performs services: and
(b) A woman's newborn for the purpose of perinatal or postpartum care.
(15) "Postpartum period" means the first 6 weeks after delivery.
(16) "Practice direct-entry midwifery" means:
(a) Providing maternity care that is consistent with a midwife's training, education, and experience;
(b) Identifying and referring patients who require medical care to an appropriate health care provider; and
(c) Includes the activities described in Regulation .02 of this chapter.
