Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires certain abortion patients to be informed of perinatal services.

Highlights:

• Requires a licensed physician performing an abortion of a fetus diagnosed with a “lethal fetal anomaly” to inform the abortion patient of available “perinatal hospice” services, at least 48 hours prior to the procedure (Sec. 4).

• Authorizes the abortion patient to decline the available “perinatal hospice” services with written certification indicating that information on “perinatal hospice” services was provided (Sec. 4). 

• Defines “lethal fetal anomaly” as a fetal condition diagnosed before birth that, with reasonable certainty, will result in the death of the fetus within 3 months after birth (Sec. 3).

• Defines “perinatal hospice” as comprehensive support provided to a pregnant woman carrying a fetus that has been diagnosed with a lethal fetal anomaly from the time of diagnosis, through the time of birth and death of the infant, and through the postpartum period (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that perinatal hospice care includes services from certain specialists including, but not limited to, the following medical care and counseling specialists (Sec. 3):
• Maternal-fetal medical specialists; 
• Obstetricians;
• Clergy; and
• Social workers.

• Requires the Department of Public Health to publish printed and online materials regarding perinatal hospice services, within 60 days of this bill becoming law, including, but not limited to, the following information (Sec. 5):
• A list of available perinatal hospice agencies;
• A description of services offered by perinatal hospice agencies; and
• A description of the manner in which perinatal hospice agencies may be contacted.

• Classifies a violation of the provisions of this bill by a physician as follows (Sec. 7):
• A Class B misdemeanor for a first violation;
• A Class A misdemeanor for a second violation; and
• A Class C felony for a third or subsequent violation.

• Requires license revocation of at least 1 year for a physician who fails to comply with the provisions of this bill after the second violation (Sec. 7).

Full Bill Text