This bill mandates the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) to create a formal classification system for maternity care facilities, categorizing them based on the level of care they provide to patients during the antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. The classification system aims to ensure integrated care and reduce adverse maternity experiences and outcomes, particularly addressing obstetric inequities. Facilities will be designated as accredited birthing centers, Level I basic, Level II specialty, Level III subspecialty, or Level IV regional perinatal health care centers, following criteria aligned with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' guidelines.

In developing this system, the DOH will establish uniform designations for maternity care levels, designate service regions, and create criteria for integrating maternity care facilities with emergency response systems. The bill also requires facilities to maintain transfer agreements and participate in the Maternal Data Center for data analysis on maternal health outcomes. Additionally, the DOH will form a multidisciplinary team to study the implementation of the classification system and launch a public awareness campaign about its importance. The DOH will maintain and update a list of designated facilities and has the authority to revoke designations if compliance with the bill's requirements is not met.