HB 5636 Summary

• Establishes licensing requirements for freestanding birth centers in Michigan, allowing facilities to provide midwifery care for normal deliveries, reproductive health, postpartum, and newborn care under Part 207 of the Public Health Code.

• Requires freestanding birth centers to comply with operational standards including written policies, informed consent procedures, identification of transfer hospitals, staff qualifications, emergency equipment, and 24/7 patient consultation availability.

• Prohibits freestanding birth centers from using general or regional anesthesia (except local anesthesia and nitrous oxide), inducing labor pharmacologically, performing most surgical procedures, or delivering patients with certain risk factors unless immediate transfer is impossible.

• Exempts freestanding birth centers from obtaining certificates of need and does not require collaborative agreements with other health facilities or third-party reimbursement mandates.

• Delays enforcement of licensing requirements for 2 years after the effective date (until April 2, 2027), allowing time for regulatory rule development in consultation with midwifery organizations and licensing boards.