(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) “ACME” means the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or a successor organization that is an accrediting agency for nurse–midwifery and direct–entry midwifery education programs and is approved by the United States Department of Education.
(c) “AIMM” means the Association of Independent Midwives of Maryland or a successor organization that is a professional organization representing independent midwives in the State.
(d) “Board” means the State Board of Nursing.
(e) “Committee” means the Direct–Entry Midwifery Advisory Committee established under § 8–6C–11 of this subtitle.
(f) “Health care practitioner” means:
(1) An individual certified as a nurse–midwife or a nurse practitioner under this title; or
(2) A physician licensed under Title 14 of this article.
(g) (1) “Health care provider” means a health care practitioner or a hospital.
(2) “Health care provider” includes agents or employees of a health care practitioner or a hospital.
(h) “Hospital” has the meaning stated in § 19–301 of the Health – General Article.
(i) “License” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a license issued by the Board to practice direct–entry midwifery.
(j) (1) “Licensed direct–entry midwife” means an individual who has been granted a license under this subtitle to practice direct–entry midwifery.
(2) “Licensed direct–entry midwife” does not include a licensed nurse certified as a nurse–midwife under this title.
(k) “Low–risk pregnancy” means a pregnancy, labor, and delivery and postpartum, newborn, and interconceptional care that does not include a condition that requires a mandatory transfer under § 8–6C–03.
(l) “MEAC” means the Midwifery Education and Accreditation Council, or a successor organization that is a national accreditation agency for midwifery education approved by the United States Department of Education.
(m) “NARM” means the North American Registry of Midwives, or a successor organization that is an international certification agency that establishes and administers certification for the certified professional midwife credential.
(n) (1) “Patient” means a woman for whom a licensed direct–entry midwife performs services.
(2) “Patient” includes a woman’s newborn for the purpose of perinatal or postpartum care.
(o) “Postpartum period” means the first 6 weeks after delivery.
(p) (1) “Practice direct–entry midwifery” means:
(i) Providing maternity care that is consistent with a midwife’s training, education, and experience; and
(ii) Identifying and referring patients who require medical care to an appropriate health care provider.
(2) “Practice direct–entry midwifery” includes the activities described in § 8–6C–02 of this subtitle.