HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                     3925

(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:

(1) A PHYSICIAN; OR

(2) A LICENSED NURSE MIDWIFE, AS PROVIDED BY TITLE 7,
SUBTITLE 6 OF THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE. A LICENSED NURSE
MIDWIFE OR PHYSICIAN AS DEFINED UNDER THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS
ARTICLE.

(B)  A PHYSICIAN SHALL BE ON CALL AND AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AT A FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTER AT ALL TIMES
THAT THE FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTER IS SERVING THE PUBLIC.

19-1005.

(A)  A PERSON MAY NOT OPERATE A FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTER
UNLESS THE PERSON IS LICENSED BY THE SECRETARY. THIS LICENSING
REQUIREMENT APPLIES TO FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTERS THAT ARE
INTENDED TO BE OPERATED FOR PROFIT. OR AS A NONPROFIT ENTITY.

(B)  WHILE IT IS EFFECTIVE, A LICENSE AUTHORIZES THE
LICENSEE TO OPERATE A FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTER.'

(C)  THE SECRETARY SHALL ISSUE A LICENSE TO ANY APPLICANT IF
THE APPLICANT AND THE FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTER TO BE OPERATED

MEET:

(1)  ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND

(2)  ALL APPLICABLE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE
SECRETARY.

(D)  A LICENSE ISSUED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE IS NOT
TRANSFERABLE.

19-1006.

(A) AN APPLICANT FOR A LICENSE SHALL: