TO AMEND SECTION 44-89-30, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS IN REGARD TO THE LICENSING OF BIRTHING CENTERS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "BIRTHING CENTER" AND "LAY MIDWIFE"; AND TO AMEND SECTION 44-89-60, RELATING TO REGULATION OF AND REPORTING BY BIRTH CENTERS, SO AS TO REQUIRE A PHYSICIAN TO BE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE CONSULTATION TO THE BIRTHING CENTER.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 44-89-30(1) and (5) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(1)    'Birth center' or 'birthing center' means a facility or other place where human births are planned to occur. This does not include the usual residence of the mother or any facility which is licensed as a hospital.

(5)    'Lay Licensed midwife' means an individual so licensed by the department."

SECTION    2.    Section 44-89-60(3) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(3)    A physician must be on call and available to provide medical assistance or consultation at to the birthing center at all times that it is serving the public."

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.