The "Perinatal Integration Act of 2025" aims to enhance the integration of midwives and birthing centers into South Carolina's perinatal care system. The bill mandates the Department of Public Health to develop regulations that facilitate collaboration between midwives, birthing centers, and hospitals, ensuring smooth transitions for mothers experiencing complications during childbirth. Key provisions include establishing access to 24-hour physician consultations, creating transfer protocols to hospitals within a fifty-mile radius, providing continuing education on safe transfers, and collecting data on transfer outcomes to assess care effectiveness.

The bill explicitly defines "integrate" as promoting autonomy and collaboration without imposing supervisory roles over midwives or birthing centers. It also clarifies that the regulations should not restrict the scope of practice or change existing licensure requirements for midwives and birthing centers, nor require hospitals to grant midwives admitting privileges. The act will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
01/30/2025: 44-89-110
Latest Version: 44-89-110