Midwifery; provide for licensure and regulation of.

HB 79, the "Mississippi Midwifery License Law," establishes a state licensing system for professional midwives practicing in community settings. It requires midwives to obtain a license from the newly created Mississippi State Board of Licensed Midwifery, defines their scope of practice (including antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care), and mandates that health insurance plans covering maternity benefits must also cover services provided by licensed midwives. The bill directly affects midwives seeking to practice legally, insurance companies, and patients seeking midwifery care, while exempting certified nurse midwives already regulated under separate medical licensing. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.