
Culture & Conversation Sexual Health
This law was last updated on Jan 4, 2019
This law is Anti–Choice Model Bill
SB 205
Failed to Pass
May 10, 2018
Primary Sponsors: 1
Co-sponsors: 14
Total Sponsors: 15
SB 205 would prohibit performing or inducing an abortion unless the physician first makes a determination of the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus, except in cases of a medical emergency.
The bill would ban abortions at 20 weeks post-fertilization unless, in the physician’s reasonable medical judgment, an abortion is necessary to prevent serious health risk to the pregnant person.
The bill states that no condition may be deemed a medical emergency arises if it is based on a claim or diagnosis that the patient will engage in conduct that may result in their death or in substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function.
The bill also states that an abortion performed after 20 weeks must be performed in a manner that provides the best opportunity for the fetus to survive, unless in the physician’s reasonable medical judgment, termination of the pregnancy in that manner would pose a greater risk of death or substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function than would another method. No such greater risk would exist if it is based on a claim or diagnosis that the patient will engage in conduct which will result in her death or in substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a bodily function.
The bill includes legislative findings based on junk science that a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks.
Penalties
Any person who intentionally or recklessly performs or induces or attempts to perform or induce an abortion in violation of this Act would be guilty of a class D felony.
Any physician or other licensed medical practitioner who intentionally or recklessly performs or induces an abortion in violation of this provision would be subject to discipline from the applicable licensure board for that conduct, including, but not limited to, loss of professional license to practice.
Physician Reporting Requirements
Abortion providers would be required to report certain information for each procedure to the department, including:
Related Legislation
Based on model legislation drafted by the National Right to Life Committee.