Ohio Senate Bill SB140

Ohio 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/25

Caption

To enact section 3702.35 of the Revised Code regarding freestanding birthing centers.

Summary

SB 140 would add a new section to the Ohio Revised Code governing freestanding birthing centers. The bill defines a freestanding birthing center as a facility, or part of a facility, that provides care during pregnancy, delivery, and the immediate postpartum period to low-risk expectant mothers, and excludes hospitals licensed under state law. It requires every such center to maintain a written plan for transferring a mother or newborn to a hospital when medical complications, emergencies, or other needs arise. The bill also distinguishes between accredited and non-accredited centers. A freestanding birthing center accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers would not be required to enter into a written transfer agreement with a hospital. By contrast, a center that is not accredited would be required to have a written transfer agreement with a local hospital. In effect, the bill creates a regulatory framework that ties transfer requirements to accreditation status.

Impact

SB 140 would create new statutory requirements for freestanding birthing centers in Ohio and clarify when hospital transfer agreements are mandatory. It would affect birth centers, hospitals that may receive transfers, and regulators overseeing maternal and newborn care facilities. The bill would not regulate hospitals directly, but it would establish a legal distinction between accredited and non-accredited birthing centers under Chapter 3702 of the Revised Code.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed as a patient-safety and access-to-care bill rather than a controversial policy change. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented floor or committee sentiment to assess. The structure of the bill suggests support for birth-center operations while preserving emergency transfer planning.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the bill’s different treatment of accredited versus non-accredited freestanding birthing centers. Supporters may view the accreditation exemption as a way to reduce administrative burdens on centers that already meet recognized standards, while critics may question whether exempting accredited centers from written hospital transfer agreements could affect coordination in emergencies. Another possible issue is whether local hospitals and birth centers should be required to formalize transfer relationships regardless of accreditation status.