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HB927
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
927
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to freestanding birthing facilities
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by
adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"
Chapter
freestanding birth facilities
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Definitions.
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As used in this chapter:
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"Broad
service hospital" means a medical facility which is staffed and equipped
to provide definite inpatient, medical, surgical, and obstetrical care for a
twenty-four hour period or longer.
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"Department"
means the department of health.
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"Director"
means the director of health.
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"Freestanding
birthing facility" means a public or private facility that is not
financially or administratively connected with a broad service hospital whose
only purpose is the reception of low-risk maternity patients and the providing
of care during pregnancy, delivery, and the immediate postpartum period.
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"Low-risk
maternity patient" means a person who does not exhibit any evidence of any
risk criteria that will adversely affect the health of the mother or infant
during pregnancy, labor, birth, or the immediate postpartum period.
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License required.
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(a)
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It
shall be unlawful for any group or person to operate a freestanding birthing
facility without a license.
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(b)
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Every group or person seeking a license to
operate a freestanding birthing facility shall file a written application with
the director that shall contain such information and be in such form as the
director may prescribe.
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(c)
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A license shall be issued only to the group
or person named in the application and only for the premises listed in the
application for licensure.
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License; standards.
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(a)
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A license shall not be issued to any group or person that is not:
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(1)
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Currently accredited by the Commission for the
Accreditation of Birth Centers; or
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(2)
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In the process of obtaining accreditation
within six months of the date of the application for licensure;
provided that if a freestanding birthing facility
loses the accreditation required by this section, it shall immediately notify
the director of its change in accreditation status.
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(b)
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An applicant for licensure shall clearly
define written risk criteria or factors which, when present, would preclude a
patient from being considered a low-risk patient and therefore ineligible for a
health care services at the freestanding birthing center.
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Licenses; renewals.
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Licenses shall be renewed on an annual basis.
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Licenses; suspension or revocation.
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The director may suspend, revoke, or
refuse to issue or renew a license if a freestanding birthing facility
substantially violates any requirement of this chapter or rule
adopted by the department under this chapter
.
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Fees.
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The director may establish reasonable fees for the issuance or renewal
of licenses.
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Rules.
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The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary for the
purposes of this chapter.
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Penalties.
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Any person who violates any rule
adopted by the department under this chapter
or
violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of no more
than $ .
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Each violation shall constitute a separate
offense."
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SECTION 2.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
DOH;
Freestanding Birthing Facilities; License
Description:
Establishes
licensure requirements for freestanding birthing facilities.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.