EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1380*
HOUSE BILL 1380
J1, J3 5lr2113
CF SB 676
By: Delegates Pena–Melnyk, Acevero, Addison, Bagnall, Boyce, Cullison, Davis,
Harrison, Lehman, Patterson, Taveras, Terrasa, and Wilson
Introduced and read first time: February 7, 2025
Assigned to: Health and Government Operations
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Health Care Facilities – Hospitals and Freestanding Birthing Centers – 2
Perinatal Care Standards 3
FOR the purpose of requiring the Maryland Department of Health to adopt regulations 4
establishing minimum perinatal care standards for certain hospitals that meet or 5
exceed the Maryland Perinatal System Standards; requiring certain hospitals and 6
freestanding birthing centers, as a condition of licensure, to comply with certain 7
minimum perinatal care standards; and generally relating to standards of care for 8
hospitals and freestanding birthing centers. 9
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 10
Article – Health – General 11
Section 19–319(a) and 19–3B–02(a) and (b) 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 14
BY adding to 15
Article – Health – General 16
Section 19–319(j) and 19–3B–03(a)(1)(ii)9. 17
Annotated Code of Maryland 18
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 19
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 20
Article – Health – General 21
Section 19–3B–03(a)(1)(ii)8. and 9. 22
Annotated Code of Maryland 23
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 24
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 25
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 26 2 HOUSE BILL 1380
Article – Health – General 1
19–319. 2
(a) To qualify for a license, an applicant and the hospital or related institution to 3
be operated shall meet the requirements of this section. 4
(J) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS ESTABLISHING 5
MINIMUM PERINATAL CA RE STANDARDS THAT ME ET OR EXCEED THE MARYLAND 6
PERINATAL SYSTEM STANDARDS FOR EACH HOSPITAL TH AT PROVIDES 7
OBSTETRICAL SERVICE S. 8
(2) EACH HOSPITAL THAT PROVIDES OBSTET RICAL SERVICE S SHALL 9
COMPLY WITH THE PERINATAL CARE S TANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY THE 10
REGULATIONS ADOPTED UNDER PARAGR APH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION A S A 11
CONDITION OF LICENSU RE. 12
19–3B–02. 13
(a) A freestanding ambulatory care facility may not operate in the State unless 14
the Secretary has granted the facility a license. 15
(b) The Secretary shall issue a license to an applicant that meets the 16
requirements of this subtitle and all applicable regulations adopted by the Secretary. 17
19–3B–03. 18
(a) (1) After consultation with representatives of payors, health care 19
practitioners, and freestanding ambulatory care facilities, the Secretary shall by regulation 20
establish: 21
(ii) Standards to ensure quality of care and patient safety that shall 22
include: 23
8. The use of ultrasound imaging in a freestanding birthing 24
center; [and] 25
9. MINIMUM P ERINATAL CARE STANDA RDS FOR A 26
FREESTANDING BIRTHIN G CENTER THAT MEET O R EXCEED THE MARYLAND 27
PERINATAL SYSTEM STANDARDS THAT A FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTER SHALL 28
MEET AS A CONDITION OF LICENSURE; AND 29
[9.] 10. Any other procedures that the Secretary considers 30
necessary for quality of care and patient safety. 31
HOUSE BILL 1380 3
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 1
October 1, 2025. 2