Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits an abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a physician from performing an abortion without first determining if the fetus has a detectable heartbeat (Sec. 3). 

• Prohibits a physician from performing an abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected except in the following conditions (Sec. 4 & 6):
• The continuation of a pregnancy is likely to result in the death of the abortion patient; or
• The continuation of a pregnancy is likely to result in “substantial and irreversible impairment” of a major bodily function of the abortion patient, not including psychological or emotional conditions.

• Specifies that the definition of abortion does not include the following (Sec. 2):
• A procedure or act with the “intent” to save or preserve the health of a fetus, remove a dead fetus, or to deliver the fetus prematurely in order to preserve the health of both the abortion patient and the fetus;
• A procedure or act to terminate an “ectopic pregnancy”; and
• A procedure or act to terminate a pregnancy when the fetus has a lethal anomaly which would cause the fetus to die at birth or be stillborn.

• Defines “ectopic pregnancy” as any pregnancy resulting from a fertilized egg that has attached outside the uterus or inside the cornu of the uterus (Sec. 2). 

• Classifies a violation of this bill as a Class C felony, resulting in license revocation, and additional disciplinary action (Sec. 11).

Full Bill Text