Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass with amendment a bill which prohibits abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Highlights:

• Defines “abortion” as the termination of a human pregnancy with an intent other than producing a live birth or removing an already deceased fetus (Sec. 1).

• Requires that physicians determine the probable postfertilization age of the fetus prior to performing an abortion, except in cases of medical emergency (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits the performance of an abortion if the probable postfertilization age of the fetus is 20 weeks or greater, except in the following circumstances (Sec. 2):
• The physician has determined that the patient is suffering a medical emergency; or
• The abortion is necessary to preserve the life of a fetus.

• Requires that physicians utilize the method of abortion which will result in the greatest likelihood of the fetus’ survival in cases where the probable postfertilization age of the fetus is 20 weeks or greater, except in cases wherein the physician determines that such method poses a greater risk to the patient than any other available method (Sec. 2).

• Requires physicians, when an abortion has been performed, to submit to the Department of Public Health information including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 2)::
• The probable postfertilization age of the fetus;
• If probable postfertilization age was not determined, the basis for declaring a medical emergency;
• If the probable postfertilization age of the fetus was 20 weeks or greater, the basis for declaring a medical emergency; and
• The method used in performance of the abortion.

• Authorizes patients upon whom an abortion has been performed in violation of the provisions of this bill to bring a suit in civil court (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill which prohibits abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Highlights:

• Prohibits intentionally attempting to terminate pregnancy after 20 weeks postfertilization or the fetus reaches viability, whichever occurs earlier, regardless of whether or not the termination results in the death of the fetus (Sec. 1).

• Defines termination of pregnancy after 20 weeks resulting in death of fetus as feticide and attempted termination of pregnancy not resulting in death of fetus as attempted feticide (Sec. 1).

• Classifies feticide as a class “C” felony and attempted feticide as a class “D” felony (Sec. 1).  

• Authorizes termination of pregnancy after 20 weeks if pregnancy causes serious risk to the patient of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes termination of pregnancy between 20 and 24 weeks when determined in the best clinical judgment of the physician that the pregnancy has a fetal anomaly incompatible with life (Sec. 1). 

Full Bill Text