Birthing Center Legislation Is Reintroduced In North Carolina House

An effort to establish a licensing requirement for birthing centers is being re-visited in the North Carolina General Assembly. 

House Bill 39 would establish the North Carolina Birth Center Commission and set a fee schedule for the businesses in the state.

Licensing and inspections would fall under the purview of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The department would have the right to deny, suspend, or revoke the licenses of centers that fail to comply with state regulations.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports the bill is being co-sponsored by Forsyth Rep. Donny Lambeth and has the support of two other House Republicans.

There have been several unsuccessful attempts at moving similar legislation through the General Assembly.

Lawmakers took up the issue in 2019 after three infants died over a seven-month period at a birthing center in Cary.

The latest bill would limit licensed birthing centers to low-risk deliveries, and require transfer policies for more complicated procedures. No abortions would be allowed.