Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits physicians from performing partial-birth/late-term abortions unless the abortion procedure is medically necessary to save the life of the mother.

Highlights:

• Prohibits physicians from performing partial-birth/late-term abortions and specifies that the penalty for the performance of a partial-birth/late-term abortion is a felony punishable by not more than 2 years in prison, a fine of not more than $50,000, or both (Sec. 2).

• Defines "partial-birth abortion" as an abortion in which the individual performing the abortion deliberately and intentionally vaginally delivers a living fetus until, in the case of a headfirst presentation, the entire fetal head is outside the body of the mother or, in the case of breech presentation, any part of the fetal trunk past the naval is outside the body of the mother (Sec. 6).

• Authorizes the performance of a partial-birth/late-term abortion if the physician determines that such an abortion is medically necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text