HF 277 (LSB 2521YH (3) 91)

HOUSE FILE 277

BY  KAUFMANN

A BILL FOR

An Act removing birth centers from the meaning of institutional health facility.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 10A.711, subsection 3, Code 2025, is amended by striking the subsection.
    Sec. 2.  Section 10A.711, subsection 13, paragraph f, Code 2025, is amended by striking the paragraph.
    Sec. 3.  Section 135.119, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2025, is amended by striking the paragraph.
    Sec. 4.  Section 135.131, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  “Birth center” means birth center as defined in section 10A.711 a facility or institution, which is not an ambulatory surgical center or a hospital or in a hospital, in which births are planned to occur following a normal, uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancy.
    Sec. 5.  Section 135P.1, subsection 3, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
   3.  “Health facility” means an institutional health facility as defined in section 10A.711, a birth center as defined in section 135.131, a hospice licensed under chapter 135J, a home health agency as defined in section 144D.1, an assisted living program certified under chapter 231C, a clinic, a community health center, or the university of Iowa hospitals and clinics, and includes any corporation, professional corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or other entity comprised of such health facilities.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill removes birth centers from the meaning of institutional health facility (facility). Under current law, certain health care providers are required to obtain a certificate of need (CON) from the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing prior to creating or expanding a facility or introducing certain medical services within a specific area. By operation of law, removing birth centers from the meaning of facility would allow health care providers to create, relocate, expand, or offer new services in birth centers without the need to obtain a CON.
   The bill makes conforming changes to Code sections 10A.711 (health facilities council —— definitions), 135.119 (shaken baby syndrome prevention program), 135.131 (universal newborn and infant hearing screening), and 135P.1 (adverse health care incidents —— communication —— confidentiality).