H575 - Birth Center Licensure Act Summary

• Establishes licensure requirements and annual license fees for birth centers in North Carolina, requiring Department of Health and Human Services approval based on Commission recommendations.

• Creates a seven-member North Carolina Birth Center Commission with representatives from obstetrical societies and nurse-midwife organizations to adopt standards and review license applications.

• Sets annual license fee of $400 plus $17.50 per birthing room, valid for one year and credited toward licensing and inspection costs.

• Requires birth centers to obtain and maintain Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC) accreditation and comply with standards including second and targeted ultrasounds, patient transfer procedures, and reporting of adverse outcomes.

• Prohibits specified services at licensed birth centers including abortions, general anesthesia, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), and trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC); makes operating without a license a Class 3 misdemeanor with fines up to $50 for first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses.