Yes, home births are legal in Maine under specific conditions. The state permits licensed midwives to attend home deliveries, provided they meet Maine’s midwifery statutes and collaborate with a physician for transfer-of-care protocols. Recent 2026 amendments to the Maine Revised Statutes Title 32, Chapter 32-A require midwives to register with the Board of Licensure in Medicine and maintain liability coverage.
Key Regulations for Home Births in Maine
- Licensure Requirement: Only Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) or Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) licensed by the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine may legally attend home births. Unlicensed attendants risk prosecution under 32 M.R.S. § 2101.
- Physician Collaboration: Midwives must have a signed practice agreement with a licensed physician for emergency transfer protocols, as outlined in 32 M.R.S. § 2103-A. Failure to comply voids legal protections.
- Informed Consent & Reporting: Home birth providers must document informed consent, including risks of neonatal complications, and report all births to the Maine CDC within 5 days per 22 M.R.S. § 1532. Non-compliance may trigger Board audits.