La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-4403

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 12, December 20, 2024

Section I-4403 - General Licensing Provisions

A. It shall be unlawful for outpatient abortion facility's in the initial licensing application process to accept patients or provide abortion services until licensed by the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH). The department is the only licensing authority for outpatient abortion facility's in Louisiana.

B. Types of Licenses. The department shall have the authority to issue the following types of licenses:

1. full initial license;

2. provisional initial license;

3. full renewal license; and

4. provisional license.

C. An outpatient abortion facility shall be in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local statutes, laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances, including department rules, regulations, and fees, governing or relating to outpatient abortion facility's, abortion or termination procedures, reporting requirements, ultrasound requirements, informed consent requirements or any other matter addressed by law related to an abortion or abortion procedures before the outpatient abortion facility will be issued an initial license to operate.

D. An outpatient abortion facility license shall:

1. be issued only to the person or entity named in the initial licensing application;

2. be valid only for the outpatient abortion facility to which it is issued and only for the physical address named in the initial licensing application;

3. be valid for one year from the date of issuance, unless revoked or suspended, prior to that date, or unless a provisional initial license or provisional license is issued;

4. expire on the last day of the twelfth month after the date of issuance, unless timely renewed by the outpatient abortion facility;

5. not be subject to sale, assignment, donation, or other transfer, whether voluntary or involuntary; and

6. be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises at all times.

E. An outpatient abortion facility licensed by the department may only perform first and second trimester abortions pursuant to R.S. 40:2175.3.

F. A separately licensed outpatient abortion facility shall not use a name which is substantially the same as the name of another such facility licensed by the department. An outpatient abortion facility shall not use a name which is likely to mislead the patient or their family into believing it is owned, endorsed, or operated by the state of Louisiana.

G. No branches, satellite locations, or off site campuses shall be authorized for an outpatient abortion facility.

H. Plan Review Process. Submission of plan review to the Office of the State Fire Marshall is required for initial licensure, major renovation, and change of location.

1. Applicants are required to refer to the OSFM for laws, rules, and editions of adopted codes and standards applicable to plan review by the OSFM.

2. One complete set of plans and specifications (construction documents), with application and review fee, shall be submitted to the OSFM for review.

3. Plan review submittal to the OSFM shall be in accordance with applicable state laws, rules, regulations, and the following.

a. Modifications to Physical Environment which involve Major Renovations. Any proposed change to the physical environment which involves major renovations shall require plan review for compliance with requirements applicable at the time of the proposed change.

i. Painting, re-tiling floors, installation of carpet, and repairing of roof damage or reroofing are not considered to be major renovations. Normal maintenance of a building does not require plan review by the OSFM.

ii. Major renovations may require a physical environment survey pursuant to §4407. D.5 and §4445. A 3

b. The specific requirements outlined in the physical environment section of this Chapter.

c. Where services or treatment for four or more patients can be accommodated at more than one time, requirements applicable to Ambulatory Health Care occupancies, as defined by the most recently state-adopted edition of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101, shall apply.

d. Where services or treatment for three or less patients can be accommodated at more than one time, requirements applicable to construction of business occupancies, as defined by the most recently state-adopted edition of NFPA 101, shall apply.

4. Upon approval, one copy of the documents reviewed by the OSFM and one copy of the OSFM plan review letter shall be submitted to the department. Electronic transfer of documents by the OSFM to the department is allowed to satisfy this requirement.

5. Waivers. When a requirement of these rules regarding plan review would impose a hardship, financial or otherwise, but would not adversely affect the health and safety of any patient, the outpatient abortion facility may submit a waiver request to the department, with supporting documentation. The issuance of a waiver by the department does not apply to the OSFM requirements for approval, which must be addressed exclusively by the outpatient abortion facility with the OSFM or the state health officer, as appropriate to the subject matter.

a. Waivers are granted only at the discretion of the department.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-4403

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of the Secretary, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 29:705 (May 2003), amended by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 39:2281 (August 2013).

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 41686 (4/1/2015).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:2175.1 et seq.