Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Health Care & Wellness Committee
HB 1824
Brief Description: Concerning inspections for accredited birthing centers.
Sponsors: Representative Barnard.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Establishes that a birthing center that is accredited by a birthing center accrediting body is not required to undergo an initial survey by the Department of Health as part of its initial application for licensure if certain conditions are met. 
Hearing Date: 2/14/25
Staff: Emily Poole (786-7106).
Background:

Birthing centers provide care before, during, and after delivery to low-risk mothers-to-be.  Birthing centers include accommodations and staff to support the birthing process, and they are owned and operated by licensed midwives and certified nurse midwives.  A birthing center must be licensed by the Department of Health (DOH), and licensure requirements are established by the DOH in rule. 

 

The DOH is required to conduct inspections and investigations of birthing centers.  As part of the initial licensure process, the DOH conducts a survey to determine if the applicant meets all applicable licensing requirements.  Birthing center licenses must be renewed annually, and the DOH may inspect and investigate each birthing center every 24 months or as needed to determine compliance with DOH requirements.
Summary of Bill:

A birthing center that is accredited by a birthing center accrediting body (accrediting body) is not required to undergo an on-site survey or inspection as part of the initial application for licensure if:

  • the DOH determines that the applicable survey standards of the accrediting body are substantially equivalent to those adopted by the DOH;
  • an on-site survey has been conducted for the purposes of accreditation during the previous 24 months; and
  • the department receives copies of the latest survey report and other relevant reports or findings that indicate compliance with licensure requirements.

 

The DOH retains enforcement authority for licensed birthing centers, and the DOH has the authority to survey any service areas that are not addressed by the accrediting body.  In reviewing the accrediting body's survey standards for substantial equivalency, the DOH is required to provide the most liberal interpretation consistent with its duties.  If the DOH determines at any time that the survey standards of the accrediting body are not substantially equivalent to its own standards, the DOH is required to notify affected licensees.  

 

The DOH is authorized to perform a validation survey on applicants who previously received a survey by the accrediting body, but the DOH may not perform a validation survey on more than 10percent of applicants that are accredited by the accrediting body.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 7, 2025.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.