Bill > HB2698

This bill amends the Code of Virginia to create an exception to the Certificate of Public Need (COPN) requirements for hospitals that exclusively provide maternity care. Currently, hospitals are subject to COPN regulations, which require healthcare facilities to obtain approval before establishing new services, increasing bed capacity, or making significant capital expenditures. The bill specifically modifies section 32.1-102.1:3 by inserting language that exempts hospitals that solely provide maternity care from being considered medical care facilities that must obtain a certificate of public need. This means that standalone maternity hospitals would be free from the typically complex and time-consuming COPN approval process, potentially making it easier to establish or expand such specialized healthcare facilities. The change could potentially increase access to maternity care by reducing regulatory barriers for hospitals focusing exclusively on childbirth and related services. The bill maintains COPN requirements for all other types of hospitals and medical care facilities, ensuring that the exemption is narrowly targeted to maternity-specific hospitals.

Health and Social Services

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB2698