In 1999 a bill was passed that charged the ADHS with licensing and inspecting abortion clinics.  Before the law could take effect, a lawsuit was filed that “stayed” the regulation of abortion clinics until a settlement agreement could be finalized with the Department and the plaintiffs.  Last year the settlement agreement was finalized, we developed our licensing rules for the clinics, reached out to the providers to let them know about the new rules and how to apply for a license, and conducted inspections.  The rules went into effect November 1 and our medical licensing team was able to issue licenses to the facilities right away.
This has been a complicated process and required collaboration among our Office of Administrative Rules, the AG’s Office and the Office of Medical Facilities in our Licensing Division.  Thanks for the teamwork!