NC H39

Establishes licensure requirements for birth centers in North Carolina, defining them as facilities for normal, uncomplicated deliveries in low-risk pregnancies that are not hospitals or ambulatory surgical facilities.

Creates a seven-member North Carolina Birth Center Commission composed of licensed physicians and certified midwives with at least two years' birth center experience, plus one public member, to adopt rules and review license applications.

Requires birth centers to obtain and maintain Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC) accreditation, conduct second trimester ultrasounds, and report sentinel events and adverse outcomes to both CABC and the Department.

Sets annual licensure fees at $400.00 plus $17.50 per birthing room, with licenses valid for one year; limits birth center services to procedures normally accomplished during uncomplicated births, prohibiting abortions, general anesthesia, and vaginal births after cesarean.

Establishes penalties of up to $50 for first offense and up to $500 for subsequent offenses for operating a birth center without a license; allows Department to deny, suspend, or revoke licenses for substantial noncompliance and to suspend new patient admissions for safety concerns.