New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 7 - HEALTH
Chapter 10 - FREESTANDING BIRTH CENTERS
Part 2 - REQUIREMENTS FOR FREESTANDING BIRTH CENTERS
Section 7.10.2.14 - LICENSE RENEWAL

A. Licensee must submit a renewal application, electronically, if available, or on forms authorized by the licensing authority, along with the required license fee at least 30 days prior to expiration of the current license. The applicant shall certify that the facility complies with all applicable state and federal regulations in force at the time of renewal and that there has been no new construction or remodeling or additions which differ from the plans provided and reviewed with the prior license application. If there has been any construction or remodeling or additions to the facility since issuance of the last license, and the construction has not been previously approved, the license renewal applicant shall be required to comply with all construction documentation requirements under these regulations when applying for the license renewal. The department reserves the right to require that a renewal applicant provide any and all additional documents, including any necessary proof of current compliance, as part of its license renewal application in order for the department to determine whether the applicant and the facility are in full compliance with these regulations.

B. Upon receipt of the renewal application and the required fee, the licensing authority will issue a new license effective the day following the date of expiration of the current license, if the facility is in substantial compliance with these regulations and any and all other applicable state and federal regulations.

C. If the existing license expires and the licensee has failed to submit a renewal application, the department may charge the applicant a late fee of $100 for each month or portion of a month that the facility continues to operate without a license providing that during such time the facility remains in full compliance with these regulations. If the facility does not renew its license and continues to operate without paying late fees and without being in full compliance with these regulations, the facility shall cease operations until it obtains a new license through the initial licensure procedures, and shall still be required to pay late fees. Under Section 24-1-5 NMSA 1978, as amended, no freestanding birth center shall be operated without a license and any such failure may subject the operators to various sanctions and legal remedies, including at a minimum the imposition of civil monetary penalties.

D. It shall be the sole responsibility and liability of the licensee to be aware of the status, term and renewal date of its license. The licensing authority shall not be responsible to notify the facility of the renewal date or the expiration date of the facility's license.

E. After issuance of the initial license, if there has been no construction or remodeling or additions to the facility and the facility is in substantially the same condition as the plans on file with the department, the facility may be issued a license renewal based upon its accreditation status if it has been fully accredited by an approved national accrediting organization such as, the commission for the accreditation of birth centers or its successor, and the facility maintains its accreditation status throughout the course of the license term. The licensee shall be responsible for providing verifiable evidence of accreditation status with its license renewal application and any time during the term of its license upon request. The department, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to require additional documentation of compliance with these regulations and all applicable state and federal statutes and regulations by the licensee at the time of license renewal, even if the facility is accredited by an approved national accrediting organization.