Hawaii House Bill HB927

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/25
• Refer: 1/23/25

Caption

Relating To Freestanding Birthing Facilities.

Summary

HB927 creates a new chapter in the Hawaii Revised Statutes to regulate freestanding birthing facilities through a state licensing system administered by the Department of Health. The bill defines key terms such as “freestanding birthing facility,” “broad service hospital,” and “low-risk maternity patient,” and limits these facilities to serving low-risk maternity patients during pregnancy, delivery, and the immediate postpartum period. The measure makes it unlawful to operate a freestanding birthing facility without a license and requires applicants to submit information to the director of health. Licensure would be available only to entities that are currently accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers, or that are in the process of obtaining accreditation within six months of applying. Applicants must also establish written risk criteria that exclude patients who are not low-risk. Licenses would be renewed annually, and the department would have authority to adopt rules, set reasonable fees, and suspend, revoke, or deny renewal for substantial violations. The bill also provides for penalties for violations, though the fine amount is left blank in the text provided.

Impact

HB927 would add a new regulatory framework to state law governing freestanding birthing facilities and expand the Department of Health’s oversight authority over these providers. It would create licensing, renewal, enforcement, and rulemaking provisions specific to birth centers, while conditioning operation on accreditation and compliance with department standards. The bill would directly affect freestanding birthing facilities, their operators, and patients seeking low-risk maternity care outside a hospital setting.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the overall sentiment appears neutral and administrative rather than contentious. The measure is framed as a public health and licensing bill, suggesting an intent to formalize standards and oversight for an existing or emerging type of maternity care facility. No opposition or support from legislators, agencies, or stakeholders is reflected in the provided materials.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are likely to be the accreditation requirement, the Department of Health’s discretion to define risk criteria and adopt rules, and the licensing burden placed on facilities that may already be operating or seeking to open. Operators of freestanding birthing centers may view the bill as a necessary pathway to legitimacy, while critics could argue that the standards are restrictive or that the bill could limit access to alternative maternity care options. Because no hearing transcript or vote history is provided, no specific stakeholder positions are documented.