N.M. Admin. Code § 8.370.17.36

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 23, December 10, 2024

Section 8.370.17.36 - BUILDING STANDARDS FOR FREESTANDING BIRTH CENTERS

The purpose of a freestanding birth centers is to establish a safe, homelike environment for healthy women anticipating a low risk birth so long as there is sufficient space, furnishings, equipment and supplies to comfortably accommodate the number of families, mothers, newborns and infants served by the facility and the staff necessary for providing the services.

A. The facilities may be in a house or residential structure adapted or renovated for birth center use, if allowed and approved by the local zoning authority.

B. If the facility is based in an office building, consultation and examining rooms must be separate from the dedicated birth room(s).

C. Freestanding birth centers must comply with life safety code requirements in accordance with the applicable national fire protection association (NFPA) 101 life safety code edition. Birth centers may be classified as business occupancies if their capacity is restricted to occupancy by fewer than four active births at any one time and the physical layout shall not render clients, not including infants, incapable of self-preservation.

D. All freestanding birth center facilities licensed under these regulations must be accessible to and useable by handicapped clients, employees, staff and visitors.

N.M. Admin. Code § 8.370.17.36

Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXV, Issue 12, June 25, 2024, eff. 7/1/2024