Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Highlights:

• Defines “medical emergency” as a condition in which an abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the pregnant woman whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, or when a continuation of the pregnancy will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function (Sec. 329:44.II).

• Requires healthcare practitioners to decide on the gestational age of the fetus before providing an abortion (Sec. 329:44).

• Prohibits healthcare practitioners from providing an abortion if the gestational age of the fetus is at least 24 weeks old, except in a medical emergency (Sec. 329:44).

• Requires physicians that perform an abortion to write a report to the medical facility where the abortion was performed explaining the medical emergency that warranted the abortion (Sec. 329:45).

• Specifies that physicians who knowingly violate the new act are guilty of a Class B felony and are subject to a fine of no less than $10,000 and no more than $100,000 (Sec. 329:6). 

• Specifies the woman, the father of the fetus if married to the mother at the time she receives an abortion, and/or, if the mother has not attained the age of 18 years at the time of the abortion, the maternal grandparents of the fetus can in a civil action obtain appropriate relief, unless the pregnancy resulted from the plaintiff’s criminal conduct or, if brought by the maternal grandparents, the maternal grandparents consented to the abortion (Sec. 329:47.I).

• Authorizes a defendant health care provider accused to seek a hearing before the board of medicine as to whether the health care provider’s conduct was necessary to save the life of the mother whose life was endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself; and/or as to whether the continuation of the pregnancy would have created a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function (Sec. 329:48.I).

Full Bill Text