Signed by Governor Mike Pence

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends regulations regarding abortion, effective July 1, 2016.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an individual from performing an abortion if he or she knows that the patient is seeking an abortion solely because of the race, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, or potential diagnosis of a disability of the fetus, including Down syndrome (Sec. 22).

• Exempts an individual from the provisions of this bill if the abortion is performed due to a “lethal fetal anomaly” in which there is a reasonable certainty the fetus will die within 3 months of a live birth (Sec. 22).

• Requires a physician to give the patient information regarding perinatal hospice care at least 18 hours before an abortion is performed due to lethal fetal anomaly (Sec. 12).

• Specifies that an individual who performs an abortion in violation of the provisions of this bill may be subject to disciplinary actions and civil liability for wrongful death (Sec. 22).

• Requires a health care facility to provide for the final disposition of an aborted or miscarried fetus, including cremation or internment (Secs. 11 & 22).

• Requires a physician performing an abortion to obtain the informed consent of the patient in a private, not group, setting (Sec. 14).

• Requires a physician performing an abortion to give the patient an opportunity to view the fetal ultrasound and hear the fetal heartbeat at least 18 hours before an abortion is performed (Sec. 14).

• Classifies the act of transporting an aborted fetus into or out of Indiana as a Class A misdemeanor, except for the purpose of final disposition of the fetus (Sec. 18).

• Classifies the act of intentionally acquiring, receiving, selling, or transferring fetal tissue as a Level 5 felony (Sec. 30).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends regulations regarding abortion, effective July 1, 2016.

Highlights:

• Requires a health care facility to provide for the final disposition of an aborted or miscarried fetus, including cremation or internment (Sec. 5).

• Requires a physician performing an abortion to obtain the informed consent of the patient in a private, not group, setting (Sec. 6).

• Requires a physician performing an abortion to give the patient an opportunity to view the fetal ultrasound and hear the fetal heartbeat at least 18 hours before an abortion is performed (Sec. 6).

• Classifies transporting an aborted fetus into or out of Indiana as a Class A misdemeanor, except for the purpose of final disposition of the fetus by cremation or interment (Sec. 9).

Full Bill Text