AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-77-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT FOR BIRTHING CENTERS TO OBTAIN A WRITTEN TRANSFER 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; TO PROVIDE THAT IN ORDER TO BE LICENSED, A BIRTHING CENTER MUST BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF BIRTH CENTERS'S (AABC) STANDARDS FOR BIRTH CENTERS, INCLUDING ESTABLISHING A WRITTEN TRANSFER PLAN; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 41-77-7