Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits abortions during the third trimester of pregnancy, effective July 1, 2012.

Highlights:

• Prohibits physicians from performing an abortion in the third trimester or after the period at which the fetus has attained “viability”, except in a medical emergency (Sec. 2).

• Defines “viability” as the stage of fetal development when a fetus can be sustained outside the womb for an indefinite period of time (Sec. 1).

• Defines “medical emergency” as a medical condition that necessitates an abortion in order to avert the death of a pregnant woman, or for which a delay in the termination of the pregnancy will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function (Sec. 2).

• Requires a physician who performs an abortion during the period of viability to preserve the life and health of the fetus to the best of his or her professional ability, and to use the same methods that the physician would use to preserve the life of any fetus intended to be born and not aborted (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that a fetus “born alive” after an attempted abortion is entitled to the same rights, powers and privileges granted to any other fetus born alive that is not subsequent to an attempted abortion (Sec. 2).

• Defines “born alive” as the complete extraction or expulsion of a fetus from its mother that breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite and voluntary movement of muscles (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits abortions during the period of viability unless a physician other than the physician performing the abortion is in attendance to provide immediate medical care to the fetus and take all reasonable steps to preserve the life and health of the fetus (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits the performance of “instillation” abortions (Sec. 2).

• Defines “instillation abortion” as an abortion induced by the injection of saline, urea, prostaglandin, or other chemical solution into the amniotic sac within the uterine cavity (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text