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This website publishes administrative rules on their effective dates, as designated by the adopting state agencies, colleges, and universities.

Chapter 3701-7 | Maternity Units and Homes

 
 
 
Rule
Rule 3701-7-01 | Definitions.
 

(A) "Administrator" means the person responsible for the overall daily management of the maternity home.

(B) "Department" means the Ohio department of health.

(C) "Director" means the director of the department of health or their duly authorized representative.

(D) "Donor human milk" means milk from a lactating mother or lactating mothers, other than the milk of the mother of the newborn, that has been screened pursuant to the guidelines issued by the "Human milk bank association of North America."

(E) "Hospital" means an institution required to be licensed under section 3722. of the Revised Code.

(F) "Human milk" means the milk produced by a mother to feed her newborn.

(G) "Licensee" or "license holder" means the individual, corporation, partnership, board, association or entity licensed by the director under Chapter 3711. of the Revised Code and rule 3701-7-03 of the Administrative Code to maintain a maternity home.

(H) "Licensed capacity" means the maximum number of residents that the maternity home is authorized to accommodate under its license.

(I) "Maternity home" means a facility for pregnant women where accommodations, medical care, and social services are provided during the prenatal and postpartal periods. Maternity home does not include a private residence where obstetric or newborn services are received by a resident of the home.

(J) "Nurse" means either a licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse.

(K) "On-duty" means in a maternity home and alert and responsive to resident needs.

(L) "Physician" means an individual who is licensed under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery, or osteopathic medicine and surgery.

(M) "Registered nurse" means an individual who is licensed under section 4723.09 of the Revised Code to practice as a licensed registered nurse.

(N) "Resident" means a woman or a newborn to whom the maternity home provides accommodations, medical care, or social services.

(O) "Resident representative" means either a person acting on behalf of a resident with the consent of the resident or the resident's legal guardian.

(P) "Staff member" or "staff" means the administrator and individuals providing direct care to residents on a full-time, part-time, temporary, contract, or voluntary basis. Staff member or staff does not include volunteers who are family members of a resident.

Last updated March 30, 2026 at 7:34 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3711.12
Amplifies: 3711.01, 3711.02, 3711.04, 3711.05, 3711.06, 3711.08, 3711.10
Five Year Review Date: 3/30/2031
Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/2012
Rule 3701-7-02 | Prohibitions.
 

(A) No person or agency of state or local government will operate a maternity home that does not comply with the provisions of this chapter of the Administrative Code.

(B) No person or agency of state or local government will:

(1) Interfere with an inspection or investigation of a maternity home by the director. As used in this paragraph, "interfere" means to obstruct directly or indirectly any individual conducting an authorized inspection or investigation from carrying out his or her duties, including:

(a) Harassment;

(b) Intimidation;

(c) Refusal to permit the director upon presentation of official department identification, to inspect or investigate the maternity home; or

(d) Refusal to permit the director upon presentation of official department identification to enter and inspect records that are kept concerning the operations of the maternity home for information necessary to determine compliance with the applicable rules of this chapter.

(C) Each provider of a maternity home will ensure that the building or structure where it is located is in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

(D) Nothing in this chapter will be construed as authorizing individuals to provide services outside their licensed scope of practice.

(E) A new maternity home is obligated to provide the service in compliance with all applicable provisions of Chapter 3701-7 of the Administrative Code, unless a waiver or variance is granted under the provisions of section 3711.13 of the Revised Code.

(F) No person will operate a maternity home as defined in division (B) of section 3711.01 of the Revised Code unless the person holds a valid license issued under this chapter.

Last updated March 30, 2026 at 7:34 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3711.12
Amplifies: 3711.01, 3711.02, 3711.04, 3711.05
Five Year Review Date: 3/30/2031
Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/2012
Rule 3701-7-03 | License application; issuance; renewal.
 

(A) Application for a license to operate a maternity home, or renewal of an existing license, will be made either in writing on a form provided by the director and signed by the applicant or the applicant's agent or using an electronic system prescribed by the director and affirmed by the applicant or the applicant's agent, and will include:

(1) A nonrefundable maternity home application or renewal fee of seven hundred fifty dollars;

(2) The name to appear on the license;

(3) The particular premises in which the business will be carried out; and

(4) The proposed licensed capacity for maternal and newborn residents.

(B) The license renewal fee specified in paragraph (A) of this rule will be paid no later than sixty days after the director of health mails an invoice for the fee to the license holder. A penalty of ten per cent of the amount of the renewal fee will be assessed for each month the fee is overdue. The renewal application and fee may be paid sixty days prior to expiration.

(C) Upon receipt of a completed application, the director will send a copy of the application to the board of health of the health district in which the maternity home is located. The board of health of the health district will:

(1) Approve the application, unless the maternity home is in noncompliance with any applicable local health regulation; and

(2) Notify the director of its determination within thirty days of receipt of the application.

(D) If the board of health of the health district does not provide the notice required by paragraph (C) of this rule, the application will be deemed to be approved by the board of health of the health district.

(E) The director will issue a license to the applicant if it is determined that the applicant is in compliance with Chapter 3711. of the Revised Code and applicable rules within Chapter 3701-7 of the Administrative Code. The license will state the following:

(1) The name of the licensee;

(2) The particular premises in which the business will be carried out; and

(3) The licensed capacity for maternal and newborn residents.

(F) The license will be valid for a period of three years from the end of the month in which the license was issued or renewed.

(G) A license issued for a maternity home is valid only for the premises provided on the license in accordance with paragraph (E) of this rule.

(H) The licensee will notify the director, in writing, within seven days of any change in administrator, primary agent, or name of the maternity home.

(I) The licensee will notify the director within seven days, in writing, of the voluntary suspension of operation, closing, or sale of the maternity home, and return the license to the director. In the event of involuntary closure, the licensee will provide written notice as soon as possible after learning of the closure.

(J) The license will be posted conspicuously at the entrance of the maternity home.

(K) The licensee will ensure that the resident occupancy does not exceed the licensed capacity.

(L) The licensee will notify the director, in writing, prior to any construction and/or change in the licensed capacity for either maternal or newborn residents.

Last updated March 30, 2026 at 7:34 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3711.12
Amplifies: 3711.02, 3711.04, 3711.05, 3711.06, 3711.08, 3711.10
Five Year Review Date: 3/30/2031
Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/2012
Rule 3701-7-04 | Inspections; compliance.
 

(A) The director of health will monitor compliance with Chapter 3711. of the Revised Code and Chapter 3701-7 of the Administrative Code. The director may conduct inspections of a maternity home as often as deemed necessary based upon the compliance history of the maternity home, but at least once every three years, to adequately monitor compliance. The inspections may be scheduled and announced or random and unannounced as follows:

(1) The triennial inspection will be scheduled and announced; and

(2) All other inspections may be random and unannounced.

(B) The director may conduct an inspection to investigate alleged violations of Chapter 3711. of the Revised Code and Chapter 3701-7 of the Administrative Code. The director will inform the complainant and the facility of the results of the inspection.

(C) The fee for inspections conducted by the director pursuant to Chapter 3711. of the Revised Code include:

(1) Inspection fee of seven hundred fifty dollars for each of the following:

(a) Maternity home;

(b) On-site follow-up;

(c) Complaint;

(d) Environmental; and

(e) Monitoring.

(2) Desk review fee of three hundred twenty-five dollars.

(D) If the director determines the existence of a violation of any provision of Chapter 3711. of the Revised Code or Chapter 3701-7 of the Administrative Code, the director may request the licensee to submit an acceptable plan of correction to the director stating the actions being taken or to be taken to correct a violation, the time frame for completion and the means by which continuing compliance will be monitored; and may:

(1) In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, impose a civil penalty based on the severity of the violation between one thousand dollars and not more than ten thousand dollars as follows:

(a) Violations that present an imminent threat of serious physical or life threatening danger, or an immediate serious threat to the emotional health, safety or security of one or more residents;

(b) Violations that directly threaten physical or emotional health, safety, or security of one or more residents; and/or

(c) Violations that indirectly threaten or potentially threaten the physical or emotional health, safety, or security of one or more residents.

(2) Summarily suspend a license issued under this chapter if the director believes that there is clear and convincing evidence that the continued operation of the maternity home presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to residents. If the director suspends a license, the director is obligated to issue a written order of suspension and cause it to be delivered by certified mail or in person in accordance with section 119.07 of the Revised Code. The order will:

(a) Not be subject to suspension by the court while an appeal filed under section 119.12 of the Revised Code is pending. If the license holder subject to the suspension requests an adjudication, the date set for the adjudication will be within fifteen days but not earlier than seven days after the license holder makes the request, unless another date is agreed to by both the license holder and the director. The summary suspension will remain in effect, unless reversed by the director, until a final adjudication order is issued by the director pursuant to this chapter and Chapter 119. of the Revised Code becomes effective; and

(b) Issue a final adjudication by the director not later than ninety days after completion of the adjudication. If the director does not issue a final order within the ninety-day period, the summary suspension will be void, but any final adjudication order issued subsequent to the ninety-day period will not be affected.

(3) Revoke a license issued under this chapter if the director determines that a violation of a rule under this chapter has occurred in such a manner as to pose an imminent threat of serious physical or life-threatening danger to one or more residents.

(4) In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, for a second or subsequent violation of Chapter 3711. of the Revised Code or this chapter, or for an initial violation the director determines has caused or poses an imminent threat of serious physical or life-threatening danger, issue an order that the home will cease operation.

(E) If the director issues an order revoking or suspending a license issued under this rule and the license holder continues to operate a maternity home, the director may ask the attorney general to apply to the court of common pleas of the county in which the license holder is located for an order enjoining the license holder from operating the home. The court will grant the order on a showing that the person is operating the maternity home.

(F) In determining which of the actions to take under paragraph (D) of this rule, the director may consider, but is not limited to, the following factors:

(1) The danger of serious physical or life-threatening harm to one or more residents, including a determination whether the harm presents an:

(a) Imminent threat of serious physical or life threatening danger, or an immediate serious threat to the emotional health, safety, or security one or more residents;

(b) Direct threat to the physical or emotional health, safety, or security of one or more residents; and/or

(c) Indirect threat or potential threat to the physical or emotional health, safety, or security of one or more residents;

(2) The number of residents directly affected by the violation;

(3) The number of staff involved in the violation;

(4) Whether the maternity home took appropriate actions to correct the violation; and

(5) The compliance history of the maternity home.

Last updated March 30, 2026 at 7:34 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3711.12
Amplifies: 3711.04, 3711.05, 3711.06, 3711.08, 3711.10
Five Year Review Date: 3/30/2031
Prior Effective Dates: 7/15/1976, 1/1/2012
Rule 3701-7-05 | Facilities; equipment; safety requirements.
 

(A) Maternity home facilities and equipment will include at least the following:

(1) Equipment, lighting, and means of regulating indoor temperature and indoor air quality to provide a safe and comfortable living environment and working conditions in the maternity home;

(2) Adequate facilities for the delivery of housekeeping and other supportive services;

(3) Handrails in all stairwells, and grab bars in bathrooms and showers;

(4) Secure office space for maintenance, preparation, and storage of resident medical records and medications;

(5) Separate toilet facilities for personnel;

(6) A dining area;

(7) Adequate storage areas;

(8) A means for the sanitary disposal of waste and soiled linen;

(9) A relaxation area not readily accessible to the casual visitor;

(10) Private office space for resident consultation;

(11) Laundry facilities for residents;

(12) At least one separate, private room for the examination and treatment of residents;

(13) Equipment and supplies necessary for routine and emergency care of residents;

(14) Resident bedrooms, with no more than four beds in each room; and

(15) For every three residents, one bathroom that is accessible from a hallway.

(B) Each maternity home is obligated to post the department's toll free complaint hotline in a conspicuous place.

(C) Each maternity home that offers newborn services will maintain a newborn nursery appropriate to the number of newborns to be cared for at any one time. Each newborn nursery room will be equipped with the following:

(1) A floor area of twenty-four square feet for each newborn station with a minimum of two feet between newborn stations;

(2) Maternity homes providing care to newborns requiring close observation are obligated to provide a minimum floor area of fifty square feet with a minimum of four feet between and at all sides of newborn stations;

(3) At least one door capable of being locked that exits to a main corridor; and

(4) At least one sink capable of hands-free operation.

(D) Each maternity home will ensure that the building or structure where the maternity home is located:

(1) Has a certificate of use from a local, certified building department or from the Ohio department of commerce as meeting applicable requirements of Chapters 3781. and 3791. of the Revised Code and the rules adopted thereunder;

(2) Complies with the state fire code; and

(3) Complies with the applicable provisions of Chapter 3737. of the Revised Code and the rules adopted under it.

(E) The maternity home will develop and follow a disaster preparedness plan including evacuation in the event of a fire. Evacuation procedures will be reviewed at least annually, and practice drills will be conducted quarterly on each shift.

(F) The maternity home will develop and follow policies for ensuring the safety and security of all residents, including infant security drills for locating missing infants. The policies will be reviewed at least annually, and practice infant security drills will be conducted on each shift at least once every six months.

(G) The maternity home will establish and follow written infection control policies and procedures for the surveillance, control, prevention, and reporting of communicable disease organisms by both the contact and airborne routes which will be consistent with current infection control guidelines issued by the United States centers for disease control and prevention. The policies and procedures will address:

(1) The utilization of protective clothing and equipment;

(2) The storage, maintenance and distribution of sterile supplies and equipment;

(3) The disposal of biological waste, including blood, body tissue, and fluid in accordance with Ohio law;

(4) Universal precautions body substance isolation or equivalent; and

(5) Tuberculosis and other airborne diseases.

(H) The maternity home will comply with the disease reporting requirements set forth in Chapter 3701-3 of the Administrative Code.

(I) Each maternity home will label, store and dispose all poisons, hazardous wastes and flammable materials in a safe manner that does not jeopardize resident health or safety, and in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations.

Last updated March 30, 2026 at 7:34 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3711.12
Amplifies: 3711.05, 3711.12
Five Year Review Date: 3/30/2031
Prior Effective Dates: 10/1/2019
Rule 3701-7-06 | Maternity home staffing standards; information to providers prior to admission.
 

(A) All persons whose work or service responsibilities involve continuing activities in the maternity home will have a health evaluation by a licensed physician or other licensed health professional operating within their scope of practice, which will include establishing the absence of conditions transmissible to others, prior to their having access to the home.

(B) The maternity home will designate a person as an administrator to be responsible for day to day operations of the home, ensuring that resident needs are met at all times and for assuring compliance with Chapter 3711. of the Revised Code and Chapter 3701-7 of the Administrative Code.

(C) Each maternity home that operates a nursery is obligated to retain a physician qualified in pediatrics to direct the care of the infants including the initiation and maintenance of policies and procedures necessary for this care.

(D) The maternity home will retain the services of a registered nurse to direct nursing activities, including the initiation and maintenance of policies and procedures dealing with nursing care.

(E) A nurse will be on duty at all times when the nursery is occupied in a maternity home that operates a nursery.

(F) The maternity home will not knowingly permit a staff member or volunteer to provide services if the individual has a communicable disease capable of being transmitted during the performance of their duties.

(G) A maternity home will document any complications and adverse events impacting the health, safety, or well being of any resident.

(H) Each maternity home will:

(1) Have the ancillary and support staff necessary for the provision of maternity home services; and

(2) Ensure all staff members provide services in accordance with applicable, current, and accepted standards of practice and the clinical capabilities of the maternity home.

(I) Prior to admission, the maternity home is obligated to provide the following in writing to the prospective resident or the prospective residents representative:

(1) An itemized list of fees for all services provided by the home;

(2) A list of the services provided at the maternity home, including, but not limited to:

(a) Medical services;

(b) Nursing services; and

(c) Social services.

(3) A list of services available to the resident within the home or outside of the home within a reasonable proximity, along with instructions on how to obtain such services.

(J) A maternity home is obligated to keep all records and reports for not less than five years and such records and reports will be available for inspection by the director. The medical records of the infant residents of a maternity home, where applicable, will include, but not be limited to:

(1) History of gestation;

(2) Delivery and immediate postnatal periods;

(3) Physical examinations;

(4) Treatment; and

(5) Medication orders.

Last updated March 30, 2026 at 7:34 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3711.12
Amplifies: 3711.05, 3711.12
Five Year Review Date: 3/30/2031
Prior Effective Dates: 7/15/1976, 10/1/2019
Rule 3701-7-07 | Newborn nutrition.
 

Maternity homes using commercial formula, human milk, donor human milk, or donor human milk products, will provide for the safe storage and handling of the formula, human milk, donor human milk, donor human milk products, or any combination thereof.

Last updated March 30, 2026 at 7:34 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3711.12
Amplifies: 3711.05, 3711.12
Five Year Review Date: 3/30/2031
Prior Effective Dates: 3/1/1997, 8/1/2008