(1) The Council of Licensed Midwifery is created within the department and shall consist of nine members to be appointed by the State Surgeon General.
(2) One member of the council shall be a certified nurse midwife. One member of the council shall be a physician who is an obstetrician certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and one family physician certified by the American Board of Family Practice. One member of the council shall be a physician who is a pediatrician certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Four members of the council shall be licensed midwives. The one remaining member shall be a resident of this state who has never been a licensed midwife and who has no financial interest in the practice of midwifery or in any health care facility, agency, or insurer. The council members shall serve staggered 4-year terms as determined by rule.
(3) The council shall:(a) Assist and advise the department in developing rules relating to: training requirements, including core competencies, for persons training to become licensed midwives; the licensure examination; fees; the informed consent form; responsibilities of midwives; emergency care plans; records and reports to be filed by licensed midwives; and other regulatory requirements developed by the department.
(b) Assist the department in developing rules to implement s. 467.205, relating to approval of midwifery training programs. (c) Monitor and inform the department on the practice of midwifery in other states and countries by persons who are not nurses.
(d) Educate the public and other providers of obstetrical care about the role of licensed midwives.
(e) Collect and review data regarding licensed midwifery.
(f) Recommend changes in the Midwifery Practice Act to the department and the Legislature.
(g) Address concerns and problems of practicing licensed midwives in order to promote improved safety in the practice of midwifery.
(4) Members of the council shall serve without pay. The council members shall be entitled to reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses pursuant to s. 112.061. 