H.B. 927 Summary

• Establishes a new chapter in Hawaii Revised Statutes to create licensure requirements for freestanding birthing facilities that are independent from hospitals and serve only low-risk maternity patients.

• Requires freestanding birthing facilities to obtain a license from the Department of Health and prohibits operation without one.

• Mandates that licensed facilities must be either currently accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers or in the process of obtaining accreditation within six months of application.

• Requires applicants to define written risk criteria that would disqualify patients from being considered low-risk and thus ineligible for care at the facility.

• Authorizes the Director of Health to establish reasonable licensing fees, adopt rules, suspend or revoke licenses for violations, and impose fines for non-compliance (fine amount to be determined).