TITLE health-services

Part I. Texas Department of Health

Chapter 37. Maternal and Child Health Services

Subchapter H. Midwives

25 TAC §§37.171-37.174, 37.176-37.177, 37.179, 37.181-37.185

The Texas Department of Health (department) adopts the repeal of §§37.171-37.174, 37.176, 37.177, 37.179, and 37.181-37.185, concerning the regulation of midwives without changes to the proposed sections as published in the March 5, 1999 issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 1559), and therefore the sections will not be republished.

The department adopts repeal of the sections in 25 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) in order that new sections may be adopted by the Texas Midwifery Board at 22 TAC, Examining Boards, Chapter 831, Midwives. The Texas Midwifery Board is authorized by the Texas Midwifery Act (the Act), Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4512i, §8A(b), to adopt rules concerning documentation of midwives; standards for approval of midwifery education courses, instructors, and facilities; standards for midwifery practice; basic and continuing midwifery education requirements; reporting and processing complaints; disciplinary procedures; procedures for reciprocity for initial documentation; and any additional rules necessary to implement any duty imposed on the board by the Act, subject to the approval of the Texas Board of Health. The repeals are necessary for the limited purpose of locating all rules governing the documentation and regulation of midwives in 22 TAC Chapter 831, based on the Midwifery Board's increased rulemaking and enforcement authority. The new rules adopted by the Midwifery Board in 22 TAC, Chapter 831, can be found in this issue of the Texas Register in the Adopted Rules section.

No comments were received on the proposed repeals.

The repeals are adopted under Health and Safety Code, §12.001(b), which provides the board with authority to adopt rules for the performance of every duty imposed by law upon the board, the department, and the commissioner of health.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 12, 1999.

TRD-9904187

Susan K. Steeg

General Counsel

Texas Department of Health

Effective date: August 1, 1999

Proposal publication date: March 5, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 458-7236