CHAPTER 198

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 10 of Title
82 an article numbered 8, consisting of §§ 82-167.1 through 82-167.6,
relating to midwives, requiring registration and permits for those
practicing midwifery, and procedures relating to granting and revok-
ing such permits, and providing penalties relating thereto.

[H 335]
Approved March 8, 1962

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding in Chapter 10 of
Title 32, an article numbered 8, consisting of §§ 32-167.1 through 32-167.6,
as follows:

ARTICLE 3

§ 82-167.1. Any person who, for compensation, directly or indirectly,
assists, by affirmative act or conduct immediately prior and subsequent
to the labor attendant to childbirth, delivery and postnatal care, in con-
junction with or in lieu of a member of the medical profession shall be
deemed a midwife.

§ 32-167.2. “Compensation” as used in this Article, means anything
of value, received before or after the labor attendant to childbirth, with
or without an express agreement between the person so assisting and the
patient, or anyone in her behalf.

§ 32-167.3. Each midwife shall be registered and possess a permit
to practice such profession. Any person who fulfills the requirements for
midwifery as may be promulgated by duly adopted rules and regulations
of the State Board of Health shall be eligible for a permit. A permit shall
be given without cost to such person who is eligible. Upon registration and
qualification, the permit shall be issued by the State Director of the Bureau
of Maternal and Child Health of the State Department of Health and
countersigned by the Director of the Local Health Department.
§ 32-167.4. The administration of this Article shall be governed by
he provisions of Chapter 1.1 of Title 9 of the Code of Virginia.
__ § 32-167.5. Any person who practices the profession of midwifery
without a permit shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
$ 32-167.6. All rules and regulations adopted hereunder shall be
such as will protect the health of the mother and child.