An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Sponsored By: Martine Larocque L Gulick (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Health plans must cover midwife care
Beginning January 1, 2027, health plans with maternity benefits must cover qualifying midwife services. Providers must be Vermont-licensed midwives or advanced practice registered nurses certified as nurse midwives. Services must fall within the provider's licensed practice. Coverage applies in hospitals, birth centers, other health care facilities, and at home.
Medicaid must seek birth-center coverage approval
Effective May 13, 2025, Vermont's Agency of Human Services must seek federal approval for Medicaid coverage at licensed birth centers. The request covers prenatal, maternity, postpartum, and newborn care. It also seeks separate payments for facility fees and professional services. This request does not itself activate coverage; coverage depends on federal approval and the law's later implementation requirements.
Birth centers cannot offer epidurals
Beginning January 1, 2027, or earlier if Health Department rules take effect, birth centers cannot offer epidurals or cesarean deliveries. These limits affect families choosing where to give birth. Only licensed operators can present a facility as a birth center or use that term in names, ads, or messages.
Birth centers face licensing and fees
Starting January 1, 2027, or earlier if Health Department rules take effect, Vermont birth centers need state licenses. Approval requires an inspection and compliance with state rules; licenses cover only named people and premises and cannot transfer. Operators pay $250 for each initial, renewal, or ownership-change application, supporting state licensing costs. The department can inspect centers, require fixes, post violation summaries, and deny, limit, suspend, revoke, or refuse licenses. License actions include notice, hearing, and appeal rights; sensitive records remain protected except for allowed licensing disclosures. Required rules follow national birth-center standards and cover staffing, safety, records, complaints, quality checks, hospital transfers, and related care. Provider practice limits remain unchanged, including for services in shared or nearby spaces. Beginning July 1, 2025, licensed or planned qualifying centers are exempt from separate facility rules, but still need birth-center licenses.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Martine Larocque L Gulick
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Alison Clarkson
Democratic • Senate
Anne E Watson
Democrat/Progressive • Senate
David H Weeks
Republican • Senate
Rebecca "Becca" E White
Democratic • Senate
Robert Plunkett
Democratic • Senate
Ruth E Hardy
Democratic • Senate
Terry K Williams
Republican • Senate
Wendy K Harrison
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Bill Text
As Enacted (ACT 19)Opens in a new window
5/21/2025
As Passed by Both Chambers
5/2/2025
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
5/2/2025
House Proposal of Amendment
4/18/2025
House Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
4/18/2025
As Passed by the Senate
3/28/2025
As Passed by the Senate (Unofficial)
3/28/2025
As Introduced
1/17/2025
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