Yes, home births are legal in Maryland, but they are strictly regulated under state health laws and overseen by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). Certified professional midwives (CPMs) must be licensed, and compliance with safety protocols is mandatory. Recent 2026 amendments to the Midwifery Practice Act expanded oversight, requiring midwives to report birth outcomes to the MDH’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
Key Regulations for Home Births in Maryland
- Licensing Requirement: Only licensed certified professional midwives (CPMs) may attend home births; lay midwives are prohibited. The MDH’s Board of Nursing issues and renews licenses, with continuing education mandated every two years.
- Emergency Transfer Protocols: Midwives must maintain written transfer agreements with nearby hospitals, ensuring immediate access to emergency obstetric care. Delays exceeding 30 minutes without justification may trigger compliance reviews.
- Mandatory Reporting: CPMs must file birth certificates within five days and report adverse outcomes (e.g., maternal/fetal mortality, neonatal transfers) to the MDH’s Vital Statistics Administration. Non-compliance risks license suspension.
Additional constraints include mandatory liability insurance for midwives and parental consent for water births, which are permitted under MDH guidelines. The 2026 regulatory updates also introduced penalties for midwives practicing without updated certifications, aligning Maryland with national standards set by the American College of Nurse-Midwives. Violations are adjudicated by the Board of Nursing, with appeals heard by the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings.