HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3393

(A)  IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(B)  "FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTER" MEANS A PUBLIC OR
PRIVATE HOME OR FACILITY THAT:

(1)  IS SEPARATE FROM A HOSPITAL;

(2)  IS SEPARATE FROM THE MOTHER'S RESIDENCE; AND

(3)  DIRECTLY OR THROUGH A CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT,
PROVIDES NURSE MIDWIFERY SERVICES OR NORMAL MATERNITY SERVICES
DELIVERED BY A PHYSICIAN.

(C)  "LICENSE" MEANS A LICENSE ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY TO
OPERATE A FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTER.

(D)  "NURSE MIDWIFE SERVICES" MEANS THOSE SERVICES PERMITTED
TO BE PROVIDED BY INDIVIDUALS LICENSED TO PRACTICE NURSE
MIDWIFERY UNDER TITLE 7, SUBTITLE 6 OF THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS
ARTICLE.

19-1002.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS SUBTITLE IS TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH AND
SAFETY OF WOMEN AND NEWBORNS BY PROVIDING FOR THE LICENSING AND
REGULATION OF FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTERS.

19-1003.

(A)  IN CONSULTATION WITH THE MEDICAL AND CHIRURGICAL
FACULTY OF MARYLAND AND ITS COMMITTEE ON MATERNAL WELFARE AND THE
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NURSE MIDWIVES, THE SECRETARY SHALL ADOPT
RULES AND REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
SUBTITLE.

(B)  (1) THE RULES AND REGULATIONS SHALL INCLUDE PROVISIONS
THAT:

(I)  PERTAIN TO THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF
FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTERS;

(II)  GOVERN THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY A
FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTER; AND

(III)  ESTABLISH DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND
SAFETY STANDARDS FOR FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTERS.

19-1004.

(A) THE DIRECTOR OF A FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTER SHALL BE
A LICENSED NURSE MIDWIFE, AS PROVIDED BY TITLE 7; SUBTITLE 6 OF
OR PHYSICIAN AS DEFINED UNDER THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE.