Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits healthcare providers from performing an abortion after a fetal heartbeat has been detected.

Highlights:

• Prohibits healthcare providers from performing an abortion when a fetal heartbeat has been detected, except in cases of medical emergency (Sec. 3).

• Classifies performing an abortion when a fetal heartbeat has been detected as a Class D felony (Sec. 3).

• Requires healthcare providers to perform an abdominal ultrasound to determine if a fetal heartbeat is detectable prior to performing an abortion (Sec. 3).

• Requires healthcare providers, after performing an ultrasound, to provide written notice to the patient of whether a heartbeat was detected, and that if a heartbeat was detected that abortion is prohibited (Sec. 3).

• Defines “medical emergency” as a situation in which an abortion is performed to preserve the life of a patient whose life is endangered by a physical illness, injury, or disorder, excluding psychological, emotional, and familial conditions and the patient’s age (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text