Bill Summary for H 575 (2019-2020)

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Summary date: 

Apr 30 2019

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2019-2020 Session
House Bill 575 (Public) Filed Wednesday, April 3, 2019
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A LICENSURE PROCESS AND ANNUAL LICENSE FEES FOR BIRTH CENTERS.
Intro. by Murphy, Lambeth, Dobson, White.

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Bill summary

House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.

Makes the following changes to proposed Part 4A to Article 6 of GS Chapter 131E, Birth Center Licensure Act (Act).

Excludes ambulatory surgical facilities from the definition of birth center.

Modifies the appointment provisions of NC Birth Center Commission (Commission) members, providing for appointment of six members by the Governor, and the Speaker or the President Pro Tempore from among those elected by the NC Obstetrical and Gynecological Society and the NC Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, as specified. Specifies that the seventh member appointed by the Governor must be ineligible for appointment under the other appointment provisions and must have professional experience and familiarity with the administrative aspects of obstetrical care practices and facilities, including birth centers. Establishes four-year terms for members and prohibits serving for more than two consecutive terms. Requires initial appointments be made no later than 60 days after the effective date of the act. Provides for staggered terms. Specifies that partial terms of initial members for staggering member terms do not count as full terms for purposes of the term limitations. 

Concerning the Commission's duty to adopt rules establishing birth center licensure requirements, requires the rules to require each licensed birth center to report certain unexpected occurrences and adverse outcomes to the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers and the Department of Health and Human Services (Department) within a timeframe established by the Commission, rather than within 15 days after the occurrence.

Adds a new statute to the proposed Part to authorize the Commission, its members, and staff to release confidential or nonpublic information to any health care licensure board or DHHS personnel with relevant enforcement or investigative responsibilities. Requires the Commission to notify a licensee within 60 days after the information is transmitted and include a summary of the information transmitted. Allows the licensee to request a copy of the information transmitted within 30 days of notification. Prohibits the provision of notice of copies pending ongoing criminal investigation by any law enforcement agency or DHHS personnel with enforcement or investigative responsibility. 

Specifies that the act applies to licenses granted one year after the rules promulgated by the Commission are adopted. Directs the Codifier of Rules to notify the Revisor of the effective date of the rules.