§ 19–2602
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. § 19-2602 (2026)
Title 19. Health Care Facilities
Subtitle 26. Hospital Obstetric Services Policy
§ 19–2602LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A hospital shall adopt and provide evidence to the Department that the hospital has:
(1)
A doula policy that allows every birthing parent to have at least one doula present during birth in addition to authorized guests;
(2)
An informed consent policy for significant medical intervention for the birthing parent; and
(3)
A transfer acceptance policy that includes the hospital’s process for receiving:
(i)
A patient from a health care practitioner regulated under Title 8 of the Health Occupations Article who had provided services to a birthing parent in a home birth setting;
(ii)
A birthing parent’s or newborn’s medical information from the home birth provider; and
(iii)
A transfer from a licensed direct–entry midwife that is consistent with the requirements of § 8–6C–08 of the Health Occupations Article.
(b)
A hospital shall provide evidence to the Department that the hospital has adopted a policy under subsection (a) of this section:
(1)
(i)
On or before January 1, 2026; or
(ii)
If the hospital is established after January 1, 2026, on the establishment of the hospital; and
(2)
Whenever the policy is updated.
(c)
The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out this section, including regulations that establish the form and manner in which a hospital may prove to the Department that the hospital has adopted a policy in compliance with this section.
(d)
The Department shall make the policies provided by a hospital under this section available to the public on request and in a manner determined by the Department.
(e)
This section does not prohibit a hospital from setting a policy that restricts the number of doulas or authorized guests.