Introduced
Passed Senate
Passed House
Became law
Last action · March 12, 2025
Reported Favorably, To Rules

Introduced January 7, 2025

Senate
Engrossed
2025 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to freestanding birthing centers.

Short title: Mary Carol Akers Birth Centers Act

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 216B to define "freestanding birthing center"; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to promulgate administrative regulations to establish licensure standards for freestanding birthing centers; establish criteria for a medical director; establish requirements for obtaining written informed consent; require a written patient transfer agreement with a hospital that provides obstetric services; require a written patient transfer agreement with an emergency medical transportation service; exempt a center with…

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This bill creates a legal framework for freestanding birthing centers in Kentucky, requiring them to be licensed by the state and meet standards covering medical oversight, patient safety, and insurance. Centers must have a medical director, obtain written patient consent, carry malpractice insurance, and have transfer agreements in place with a nearby hospital offering obstetric care and with an emergency transport service. Small centers with four or fewer beds would not need to go through…

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Legislative History

Jan 7, 2025 · Senate
Introduced In Senate
Jan 7, 2025 · Senate
To Committee On Committees (S)
Jan 9, 2025 · Senate
To Health Services (S)
Feb 5, 2025 · Senate
Reported Favorably, 1st Reading, To Calendar
Feb 6, 2025 · Senate
2nd Reading, To Rules (clerical)
Feb 6, 2025 · Senate
Posted For Passage In The Regular Orders Of The Day For Friday, February 07, 2025 (clerical)
Feb 7, 2025 · Senate
3rd Reading, Passed 34-0-3
Yea: 34
Nay: 0
Not voting: 3
Absent: 1
LegiScan roll call
Feb 12, 2025 · House
Received In House

Primary Sponsor

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Portrait of Shelley Frommeyer

Shelley Frommeyer

Senator · Senate District 24

Primary sponsor
shelley.funkefrommeyer@kylegislature.gov

Co-sponsors (7)

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Portrait of Julie Raque Adams

Julie Raque Adams

Senator · Senate District 36

Co-sponsor
Julie.Adams@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Casey Chambers Armstrong

Casey Chambers Armstrong

Senator · Senate District 19

Co-sponsor
Cassie.Armstrong@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Keturah Herron

Keturah Herron

Senator · Senate District 35

Co-sponsor
keturah.herron@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Amanda Mays Bledsoe

Amanda Mays Bledsoe

Senator · Senate District 12

Co-sponsor
amanda.maysbledsoe@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Gerald Neal

Gerald Neal

Senator · Senate District 33

Co-sponsor
Gerald.Neal@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Steve Rawlings

Steve Rawlings

Senator · Senate District 11

Co-sponsor
steve.rawlings@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Lindsey Tichenor

Lindsey Tichenor

Senator · Senate District 06

Co-sponsor
lindsey.tichenor@kylegislature.gov

Bill Text Versions

Engrossed (passed one chamber)

Most current
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Introduced (original)

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