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Senate advances bill to remove barriers to licensing multi-room birthing centers
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Summary
A first-substitute to SB108 would prohibit two regulatory requirements — written hospital transfer agreements and physician oversight — that sponsors say have blocked licensing of multi-room birthing centers in Utah; the measure drew debate over safety, staffing and regulatory authority before advancing.
Senator Shannon (identified in debate as Sarah) sponsored a first substitute to Senate Bill 108 to remove two regulatory requirements that sponsors say have effectively prevented licensing of multi-room birthing centers in Utah. The sponsor said existing rules requiring written transfer agreements and physician oversight were impossible to meet and had the practical effect of limiting licensed birthing facilities to a single room.
The bill would prohibit the Department of Health or the health facilities committee from requiring a written hospital transfer agreement or mandatory physician presence at every birth, require a patient-signed written transfer plan, and add liability protections for physicians and hospitals who assist in emergencies. The sponsor emphasized the measure does not expand midwives' scope of practice and that it was developed in consultation with medical stakeholders and midwifery groups.
Opponents raised concerns about the number of rooms allowed in a licensed facility and staffing during simultaneous laboring patients. Supporters said staffing rules and patient safety are already governed by rule and that the bill addresses an anti-competitive pattern by a rulemaking panel that has kept multi-room birthing centers from operating.
After extended debate, the sponsor moved the first substitute to third reading; further amendment and final disposition were to follow the formal calendar process.
