2025-2026 Session
Change SessionS.18 (Act 19)
An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Sen. Martine Gulick
,
Sen. Alison Clarkson , Sen. Ruth Hardy , Sen. Wendy Harrison , Sen. Robert Plunkett , Sen. Anne Watson , Sen. David Weeks , Sen. Rebecca White , Sen. Terry Williams
5/14/2025 - Senate Message: Signed by Governor May 13, 2025
- Sponsor(s)
- Last Recorded Action
- House 5/14/2025 - Senate Message: Signed by Governor May 13, 2025
Bill/Resolution Text
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An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Detailed Status
Regular Session 2025-2026
| Body | Date | Journal | Calendar | Location | Full Status |
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An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Roll Call History
Regular Session 2025-2026
| Body | Date | Journal | Location | Full Status |
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Although procedurally bills and resolutions are assigned to only one committee at a time, other committees may review the bill or resolution. This page contains results from both the assigned committee as well as other committees.
An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Committee Meetings
Regular Session 2025-2026
| Meeting Date | Committee |
|---|
An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Meeting Full List
Regular Session 2025-2026
Friday, January 31, 2025
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
- -
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Introduction
Sen. Martine Larocque Gulick, Sponsor
- 9:30 AM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Walk-through
Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Thursday, February 13, 2025
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
- 9:00 AM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Testimony
Jill Alliman, Project Director, American Association of Birth Centers
Lindsay Lachant, Nurse-Midwife
Carolyn Barnwell, Chief Operating Officer, Etalia
Lauren MacAfee, Board Member, Vermont Medical Society
Alex McCracken, Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs, Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA)
Devon Green, Vice President of Government Relations, Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems
Rinn Mandeville, Nurse-Midwife, Copley Hospital
Shayla Livingston, Member, Vermont Birth Center Coalition
Friday, February 14, 2025
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
- 10:00 AM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Timothy Fisher, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UMass-Chan Medical School/ Baystate Medical Center
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
- 10:40 AM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Mark-up
Lauren Layman, General Counsel, Department of Health
Peter Stuart, Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident, North Country Hospital
Laurie Foster, Legislative Liaison, Vermont Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-midwives
Gail Zatz, Member, Vermont Birth Center Coalition
Friday, February 28, 2025
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
- 10:40 AM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Mark-up
Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Lauren Layman, General Counsel, Department of Health
Shayla Livingston, Member, Vermont Birth Center Coalition
Devon Green, Vice President of Government Relations, Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems
- 11:23 AM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Vote
Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Devon Green, Vice President of Government Relations, Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems
Shayla Livingston, Member, Vermont Birth Center Coalition
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Finance
- 1:55 PM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Walk-through
Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
Shayla Livingston, Member, Vermont Birth Center Coalition
- 2:05 PM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Vote
Thursday, March 20, 2025
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Appropriations
- 3:30 PM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Walk-through and vote
Sen. Martine Larocque Gulick, Sponsor, Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Thursday, March 27, 2025
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Health Care
- 10:30 AM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Walk-through
Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- 11:00 AM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Shayla Livingston, Member, Vermont Birth Center Coalition
Lindsay Lachant, Nurse-Midwife
Timothy Fisher, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UMass-Chan Medical School/ Baystate Medical Center
Carolyn Barnwell, Chief Operating Officer, Etalia
Friday, March 28, 2025
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Health Care
- 1:00 PM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Sen. Martine Larocque Gulick, Sponsor, Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
Rinn Mandeville, Nurse-Midwife, Copley Hospital
Lauren Layman, General Counsel, Department of Health
Alex McCracken, Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs, Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA)
Jessa Barnard, Executive Director, Vermont Medical Society
Devon Green, Vice President of Government Relations, Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems
Rebecca Gray, Certified Full-Spectrum Doula, Vermont Doula Company
Laurie Foster, Legislative Liaison, Vermont Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-midwives
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Health Care
- 9:00 AM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Lauren Hibbert, Deputy Secretary of State, Secretary of State's Office
Jen Colin, General Counsel, Office of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State's Office
Sara Teachout, Director, Government, Public and Media Relations, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont
Pam Cota, Long Term Care Licensing Chief, Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living
Laura Beliveau, Staff Attorney, Green Mountain Care Board
- 11:00 AM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Virtual Birth Center Tour
Katherine Bramhall, Owner, Gentle Landing Birth Center
Laurie Foster, Legislative Liaison, Vermont Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-midwives
- 2:50 PM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Mark-up
Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Thursday, April 3, 2025
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Health Care
- 9:20 AM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Mark-Up
Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- 2:20 PM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Vote
Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Ways and Means
- after the floor
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
possible vote
Lauren Layman, General Counsel, Department of Health
Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
Laurie Foster, Legislative Liaison, Vermont Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-midwives
Friday, April 11, 2025
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Appropriations
- 9:00 AM
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Walk through and vote
Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
Rep. Leslie Goldman, Bill Reporter, House Committee on Health Care
Thursday, April 24, 2025
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
- -
-
S.18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Review of language, As Passed by Senate with House markups
Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Committee Documents
An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Witnesses Who Testified
Regular Session 2025-2026
House Committee on Appropriations
- Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Rep. Leslie Goldman, Bill Reporter, House Committee on Health Care
- Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
House Committee on Health Care
- Jessa Barnard, Executive Director, Vermont Medical Society
- Carolyn Barnwell, Chief Operating Officer, Etalia
- Laura Beliveau, Staff Attorney, Green Mountain Care Board
- Katherine Bramhall, Owner, Gentle Landing Birth Center
- Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Jen Colin, General Counsel, Office of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State's Office
- Pam Cota, Long Term Care Licensing Chief, Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living
- Timothy Fisher, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UMass-Chan Medical School/ Baystate Medical Center
- Laurie Foster, Legislative Liaison, Vermont Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-midwives
- Rebecca Gray, Certified Full-Spectrum Doula, Vermont Doula Company
- Devon Green, Vice President of Government Relations, Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems
- Sen. Martine Larocque Gulick, Sponsor, Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
- Lauren Hibbert, Deputy Secretary of State, Secretary of State's Office
- Lindsay Lachant, Nurse-Midwife
- Lauren Layman, General Counsel, Department of Health
- Shayla Livingston, Member, Vermont Birth Center Coalition
- Rinn Mandeville, Nurse-Midwife, Copley Hospital
- Alex McCracken, Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs, Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA)
- Sara Teachout, Director, Government, Public and Media Relations, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont
House Committee on Ways and Means
- Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Laurie Foster, Legislative Liaison, Vermont Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-midwives
- Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
- Lauren Layman, General Counsel, Department of Health
Senate Committee on Appropriations
- Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Sen. Martine Larocque Gulick, Sponsor, Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
- Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
Senate Committee on Finance
- Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
- Shayla Livingston, Member, Vermont Birth Center Coalition
Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
- Jill Alliman, Project Director, American Association of Birth Centers
- Carolyn Barnwell, Chief Operating Officer, Etalia
- Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Timothy Fisher, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UMass-Chan Medical School/ Baystate Medical Center
- Laurie Foster, Legislative Liaison, Vermont Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-midwives
- Devon Green, Vice President of Government Relations, Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems
- Sen. Martine Larocque Gulick, Sponsor
- Lindsay Lachant, Nurse-Midwife
- Lauren Layman, General Counsel, Department of Health
- Shayla Livingston, Member, Vermont Birth Center Coalition
- Lauren MacAfee, Board Member, Vermont Medical Society
- Rinn Mandeville, Nurse-Midwife, Copley Hospital
- Alex McCracken, Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs, Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA)
- Peter Stuart, Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident, North Country Hospital
- Gail Zatz, Member, Vermont Birth Center Coalition
Fiscal notes and materials available on this web page are provided for informational purposes only, and may not comprise all materials received by the Vermont Legislature or the final fiscal information related to a specific bill. The Legislature is not responsible for the accuracy of any information in these materials, and their posting does not constitute approval or endorsement by the Legislature.
Fiscal Information
Fiscal Notes and Related Documents
- S.18 (Act 19) – An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers, As Enacted
- S.18 – An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers, As Passed by the General Assembly
- S.18 – An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers, As Passed by the House of Representatives
- S.18 – An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers, As recommended by the House Committee on Health Care, Draft 1.3
- S.18 – An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers, As passed by the Senate
- S.18 – An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers, As passed by the Senate
- S.18 – An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers, As recommended by the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare Draft 2.1
No committee of conference members found for S.18 in the Regular Session 2025-2026.
An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Committee of Conference Meetings
Regular Session 2025-2026
| Meeting Date | Committee |
|---|
An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Committee of Conference Meeting Full List
Regular Session 2025-2026
No committee of conference meeting history found for S.18 in the Regular Session 2025-2026.
No committee of conference report found for S.18 in the Regular Session 2025-2026.
Act
- Signed into law 5/13/2025
- As Enacted (ACT 19)
- Act Summary
An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
Statutes Affected
Regular Session 2025-2026
| Statute |
|---|
| 8 V.S.A. § 4099d. Midwifery coverage; home births |
| 18 V.S.A. §§ 2351-2362. Recodified. 1991, No. 160 (Adj. Sess.), § 40(a), eff. May 11, 1992. |
| 18 V.S.A. § 9435. Exclusions |
