Categories of hospital facilities subject to maternity and newborn care licensure

Adds to the House-passed version of the bill provisions that (1) clarify the categories of hospital facilities subject to the bill's licensing requirements and (2) specify that the bill's regulation of maternity and newborn care applies to inpatient care.

Defines the following terms for purposes of the added provisions:

--"Maternity unit": a distinct portion of a hospital in which inpatient care is provided to women during all or part of the maternity cycle.

--"Newborn care nursery": a distinct portion of a hospital in which inpatient care is provided to infants, including a distinct portion of a hospital in which intensive care is provided to infants.

Application approval and inspections by boards of health

Adds a provision that retains an existing law requirement under which each application for an initial license to operate a maternity unit, newborn care nursery, or maternity home must be approved by the appropriate local board of health before the license can be issued by the Ohio Director of Health, but specifies that the purpose of the board's review is to determine whether the applicant is in compliance with local health regulations.

Provides that a license application is deemed to have been approved by the board of health, if the board does not make a determination within 30 days of receiving the application for review.

Retains an existing law provision under which a board of health may conduct inspections after a license has been issued, but specifies that the purpose of the inspections is to determine whether the license holder is in compliance with local health regulations.

Membership of the Maternity and Newborn Advisory Council

Adds an additional obstetrician, for a total of two, to the Maternity and Newborn Advisory Council created in the House-passed version of the bill.

H0331-127.doc/ar 5/19/2008