Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires abortion providers to inform women of their right to hear the heartbeat of the fetus prior to having an abortion.

Highlights:

• Establishes that abortion providers must inform the pregnant woman prior to an abortion being performed that the fetal heartbeat may be made audible at least 8 weeks after fertilization (Sec. 4).

• Establishes that the pregnant woman may choose to hear the fetal heartbeat and requires that the abortion provider attempt to make the fetal heartbeat audible (Sec. 4).

• Exempts from the provisions of this bill abortions provided to save the life of the mother or in cases of emergency (Sec. 5):
• Abortion providers must include the medical certification of the emergency in the patient’s file. 

• Specifies that abortion providers who violate this bill shall be guilty of a misdemeanor (Sec. 6).  

• Authorizes the following individuals to sue an abortion provider that violates the provisions of this bill (Sec. 6):
• The woman upon whom the abortion was performed or father of the fetus;
• The spouse, sibling, parent or legal guardian of the woman upon whom the abortion was performed;
• A current or former health care provider of the woman upon whom the abortion was performed;
• A district attorney; or
• The Attorney General.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires abortion providers to inform women of their right to hear the heartbeat of the fetus prior to having an abortion.

Highlights:

• Establishes that abortion providers must inform the pregnant woman prior to an abortion being performed that the fetal heartbeat may be made audible at least 8 weeks after fertilization (Sec. 4).

• Establishes that the pregnant woman may choose to hear the fetal heartbeat and requires that the abortion provider attempt to make the fetal heartbeat audible (Sec. 4).

• Exempts from the provisions of this bill abortions provided to save the life of the mother or in cases of emergency (Sec. 5):
• Abortion providers must include the medical certification of the emergency in the patient’s file. 

• Specifies that abortion providers who violate this bill shall be guilty of a misdemeanor (Sec. 6).  

• Authorizes the following individuals to sue an abortion provider that violates the provisions of this bill (Sec. 6):
• The woman upon whom the abortion was performed or father of the fetus;
• The spouse, sibling, parent or legal guardian of the woman upon whom the abortion was performed;
• A current or former health care provider of the woman upon whom the abortion was performed;
• A district attorney; or
• The Attorney General.

Full Bill Text