MI SB1202

Establishes licensing requirements for freestanding birth centers in Michigan, defining them as agencies providing midwifery care, low-risk deliveries, and newborn care outside hospitals or surgical facilities.

Freestanding birth centers must comply with operational standards including written policies, quality intrapartum care promoting physiologic birth, emergency response capabilities, and follow-up care programs.

Prohibits freestanding birth centers from using general or regional anesthesia, inducing labor with drugs, performing most surgical procedures, or admitting patients with specified risk factors including breech presentation, multiple gestation, or gestations outside 36-42 weeks.

Requires freestanding birth centers to address social determinants of health through referrals to support services and maintain staffing with personnel certified in basic life support and neonatal resuscitation during deliveries.

Freestanding birth centers are exempt from certificate of need requirements and subject to a $500.00 annual licensing fee; defines applicable health care providers for referral and consultation purposes.