Signed by Governor Kevin Stitt

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires physicians inform individuals seeking an abortion about potential abortion reversal drugs.

Highlights:

• Requires all private offices, freestanding outpatient clinics, hospitals, or any other facility that offers mifepristone in medication abortions to post clearly visible signs in each patient waiting and consultation room notifying that it may be possible to reverse its intended effect if the second pill or tablet has not yet been taken or administered (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits a medication abortion that uses mifepristone from being provided, induced, or attempted without informing the pregnant individual by telephone or in person by the dispensing physician of the following information at least 72 hours before the procedure, including (Sec. 1):

• That it may be possible to reverse the intended effects of medication abortion if the woman changes her mind but that “time is of the essence”; and

• On information about reversing the effects of a medication abortion.

• Requires that after the first drug mifepristone is dispensed or provided the dispensing physician shall provide written instruction to the women which will include a notice that it may be possible to reverse the intended effects so long as the second pill has not been taken (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that any person who knowingly or recklessly provides, induces, or attempts to provide or induce an abortion shall be guilty of a felony and exempts any penalty from being assessed against the woman whose medication abortion was provided (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that any private office, freestanding outpatient clinic, or other facility that fails to post a sign as required under this act shall be assessed a fine of $10,000 by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the father of the unborn individual or grandparents of a woman seeking an abortion, who was under the age of 18 and died as a result of the medication abortion, to seek damages against the person who provided the medication abortion (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the anonymity of a woman seeking a medication abortion be preserved from public discourse if she does not consent to it (Sec. 1).

• Establishes that this act shall take effect November 1, 2019 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text