3924

VETOES

Article - Health - General

Section 19-1001 through 19-1009, inclusive, to be under the

new subtitle "Subtitle 10. Freestanding Birthing

Centers"

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1982 Volume and 1984 Supplement)

. SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Health - General

SUBTITLE 10. FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTERS

19-1001.

(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
THAT ARE 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.