Signed by Governor Jan Brewer

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that amends the abortion laws.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a physician from performing an abortion after 20 weeks of gestation except in cases of a medical emergency (Sec. 7).

• Requires a physician to perform an ultrasound at least 24 hours before an abortion (Sec. 6).

• Requires at least 1 parent of a minor seeking an abortion to sign a parental consent form provided by the Department of Health Services that describest the risks of surgical and pharmaceutical abortion (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that if a physician performs an abortion for a minor without the consent of at least 1 of her parents, that physician and any other person who aided the minor in receiving the abortion may face civil action (Sec. 4).

• Requires abortion clinics to post a sign stating that it is illegal to coerce a woman into getting an abortion and that a woman who is being coerced has the right to protection by law enforcement and social service agencies (Sec. 5).

• Requires physicians performing surgical abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the abortion clinic (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Department of Health Services to maintain a website with certain information including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 5):
  
  • A list of agencies that are available to assist the woman through pregnancy, childbirth, and while her child is dependent;
  • Information on the availability of medical assistance benefits for prenatal care, childbirth, and neonatal care;
  • A statement that a physician who performs an abortion on a woman without obtaining her voluntary and informed consent may be liable to her for civil damages;
  • Pictures and text depicting the stages of development of the fetus; and
  • Information describing common methods of abortion and their medical and psychological risks, as well as the risks of carrying a fetus to term.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of gestation.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a physician from performing an abortion after 20 weeks of gestation except in cases of a medical emergency (Sec. 7).

• Requires a physician to perform an ultrasound at least 24 hours before an abortion (Sec. 6).

• Requires at least 1 parent of a minor seeking an abortion to sign a parental consent form provided by the Department of Health Services that describest the risks of surgical and pharmaceutical abortion (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that if a physician performs an abortion for a minor without the consent of at least 1 of her parents, that physician and any other person who aided the minor in receiving the abortion may face civil action (Sec. 4).

• Requires abortion clinics to post a sign stating that it is illegal to coerce a woman into getting an abortion and that a woman who is being coerced has the right to protection by law enforcement and social service agencies (Sec. 5).

• Requires physicians performing surgical abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the abortion clinic (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Department of Health Services to maintain a website with certain information including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 5):
  
  • A list of agencies that are available to assist the woman through pregnancy, childbirth, and while her child is dependent;
  • Information on the availability of medical assistance benefits for prenatal care, childbirth, and neonatal care;
  • A statement that a physician who performs an abortion on a woman without obtaining her voluntary and informed consent may be liable to her for civil damages;
  • Pictures and text depicting the stages of development of the fetus; and
  • Information describing common methods of abortion and their medical and psychological risks, as well as the risks of carrying a fetus to term.

Full Bill Text