Maryland lawmakers approved a bill on Saturday that authorizes a non-physician "qualified provider" such as a nurse practitioner, midwife, or physician assistant to perform abortions.
'"Qualified provider' means a physician, nurse practitioner, nurse–midwife, licensed certified midwife, physician assistant, or any other individual: (1) who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by law to practice in the state; and (2) for whom the performance of an abortion is within the scope of the individual's license or certification," the bill reads.
House Bill 937 was previously vetoed by Gov. Larry Hogan. Maryland's House and Senate, however, voted in favor of the bill 90-46 and 29-15, respectively.
Maryland is the 15th state in the U.S. to allow individuals other than doctors to perform abortions.
The bill, which goes into effect July 1, establishes an abortion training program to ensure "there are enough health professionals to provide" abortions and to "increase the racial and ethnic diversity among health care professionals with abortion" training.
The bill ensures $3.5 million every year for the abortion training program.
In the case of minors seeking an abortion, the bill stipulates that the qualified provider must notify a parent or guardian of the minor. However, the qualified provider may perform the abortion without notice to a parent or guardian of a minor if:
- "(1) The minor does not live with a parent or guardian;"
- "and (2) a reasonable effort to give notice to a parent or guardian is unsuccessful."
"The qualified provider may perform the abortion, without notice to a parent or guardian of a minor if, in the professional judgment of the qualified provider (i) notice to the parent or guardian may lead to physical or emotional abuse of the minor (ii) the minor is mature and capable of giving informed consent to an abortion; or (iii) notification would not be in the best of minor," the bill reads.
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