Section 1204.3 Of Article 1. Definitions And General Provisions From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 2. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 1.
1204.3
. (a) An alternative birth center that is licensed as an
alternative birth center specialty clinic pursuant to paragraph (4)
of subdivision (b) of Section 1204 shall, as a condition of
licensure, and a primary care clinic licensed pursuant to subdivision
(a) of Section 1204 that provides services as an alternative birth
center shall, meet all of the following requirements:
(1) Be a provider of comprehensive perinatal services as defined
in Section 14134.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(2) Maintain a quality assurance program.
(3) Meet the standards for certification established by the
American Association of Birth Centers, or at least equivalent
standards as determined by the state department.
(4) In addition to standards of the American Association of Birth
Centers regarding proximity to hospitals and presence of attendants
at births, meet both of the following conditions:
(A) Be located in proximity, in time and distance, to a facility
with the capacity for management of obstetrical and neonatal
emergencies, including the ability to provide cesarean section
delivery, within 30 minutes from time of diagnosis of the emergency.
(B) Require the presence of at least two attendants at all times
during birth, one of whom shall be a physician and surgeon, a
licensed midwife, or a certified nurse-midwife.
(5) Have a written policy relating to the dissemination of the
following information to patients:
(A) A summary of current state laws requiring child passenger
restraint systems to be used when transporting children in motor
vehicles.
(B) A listing of child passenger restraint system programs located
within the county, as required by Section 27362 of the Vehicle Code.
(C) Information describing the risks of death or serious injury
associated with the failure to utilize a child passenger restraint
system.
(b) The state department shall issue a permit to a primary care
clinic licensed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1204
certifying that the primary care clinic has met the requirements of
this section and may provide services as an alternative birth center.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to require that a
licensed primary care clinic obtain an additional license in order to
provide services as an alternative birth center.
(c) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 1206, no place
or establishment owned or leased and operated as a clinic or office
by one or more licensed health care practitioners and used as an
office for the practice of their profession, within the scope of
their license, shall be represented or otherwise held out to be an
alternative birth center licensed by the state unless it meets the
requirements of this section.
(2) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to prohibit
licensed health care practitioners from providing birth related
services, within the scope of their license, in a place or
establishment described in paragraph (1).