Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires a physician to wait 48 hours before performing an abortion.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a physician from performing an abortion until 48 have elapsed after the physician has verbally informed an abortion patient of certain information including, but not limited to, the following information (Sec. 1):
• That if 22 or more weeks have elapsed from the time of conception, her unborn child may be capable of survival outside the womb;
• That if the child is prematurely born alive in the course of an abortion, the physician has a legal obligation to take steps to preserve the life of the child;
• That numerous public and private agencies and services are available to assist her during her pregnancy and after the birth of her child if she chooses not to have the abortion; and
• That there are medical benefits and risks to undergoing an abortion or continuing the pregnancy to term.

• Requires a physician to obtain an abortion patient’s informed written consent before performing an abortion (Sec. 1).

• Exempts a physician from the provisions of this bill in the case of a “medical emergency” (Sec. 1).

• Defines “medical emergency” as a condition that so complicates a medical condition of a pregnant woman as to necessitate an immediate abortion of her pregnancy to avert her death or irreversible impairment of major bodily function (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that in the case of a medical emergency, the physician must inform the patient of the medical reasons that an abortion is necessary (Sec. 1).

• Reduces the waiting period to 24 hours if any court temporarily, preliminarily, or permanently declares this bill unconstitutional (Sec. 1).

• Classifies a violation of the provisions of this bill as a Class E felony (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text