The House Subcommittee on Health Care Regulation met this afternoon to discuss two bills.
House Bill 2174 updates the birthing center statute to make the language consistent with national best practices. The birthing center code has not been updated in over 40 years. The bill’s goal is to streamline requirements and processes associated with birthing center licensure. West Virginia recently removed birthing centers from the certificate of need and does not have licensing for birthing centers. The licensing would be placed on the facility operating as a birthing center. Other states do not require centers to be licensed; only the individuals who practice must be licensed. The bill is bound over for markup.
House Bill 2175 updates regulations for behavioral health facilities. The bill passed the House last session. The bill separates behavior health centers based on treatment settings, residential or non-residential. The bill also modernizes licensing fees and penalties to address issues relating to facilities. The bill is bound over for markup.
