MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Public Health and Human Services By: Representative Hines House Bill 1576 AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-77-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT FOR BIRTHING CENTERS TO OBTAIN A WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH A HOSPITAL THAT HAS AN ORGANIZED OBSTETRICAL SERVICE AND PROVIDES SUCH SERVICE ON A CONTINUING BASIS, STATING THAT THE HOSPITAL AGREES TO ACCEPT FROM THE BIRTHING CENTER SUCH CASES AS MAY NEED TO BE REFERRED FROM THE BIRTHING CENTER; TO REQUIRE LICENSED BIRTHING CENTERS TO ESTABLISH A WRITTEN TRANSFER PLAN THAT INVOLVES APPROPRIATE LEVELS OF CARE WHEN CLIENT CONDITIONS REQUIRE IT, AND TO PERIODICALLY PROVIDE A LOCAL HOSPITAL WITH WRITTEN NOTICE OF ITS OPERATIONS AND PATIENT POPULATION SERVED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. Section 41-77-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 41-77-7. * * *No license shall be issued to a "birthing center" until such "birthing center" shall have obtained a written agreement with a hospital which has an organized obstetrical service and provides such service on a continuing basis, stating that said hospital agrees to accept from the "birthing center" such cases as may need to be referred for whatever reason from the "birthing center." A licensed birthing center shall establish a written transfer plan that involves appropriate levels of care when client conditions require it, and must periodically provide a local hospital with written notice of its operations and patient population served. SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representative Hines
# House Bill 1576
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-77-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT FOR BIRTHING CENTERS TO OBTAIN A WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH A HOSPITAL THAT HAS AN ORGANIZED OBSTETRICAL SERVICE AND PROVIDES SUCH SERVICE ON A CONTINUING BASIS, STATING THAT THE HOSPITAL AGREES TO ACCEPT FROM THE BIRTHING CENTER SUCH CASES AS MAY NEED TO BE REFERRED FROM THE BIRTHING CENTER; TO REQUIRE LICENSED BIRTHING CENTERS TO ESTABLISH A WRITTEN TRANSFER PLAN THAT INVOLVES APPROPRIATE LEVELS OF CARE WHEN CLIENT CONDITIONS REQUIRE IT, AND TO PERIODICALLY PROVIDE A LOCAL HOSPITAL WITH WRITTEN NOTICE OF ITS OPERATIONS AND PATIENT POPULATION SERVED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 41-77-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
41-77-7. * * *No license shall be issued to a "birthing center" until such "birthing center" shall have obtained a written agreement with a hospital which has an organized obstetrical service and provides such service on a continuing basis, stating that said hospital agrees to accept from the "birthing center" such cases as may need to be referred for whatever reason from the "birthing center." A licensed birthing center shall establish a written transfer plan that involves appropriate levels of care when client conditions require it, and must periodically provide a local hospital with written notice of its operations and patient population served.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.