Kentucky Bill Regarding Medication Abortion (SB 50)

SB 50 requires physicians to report a prescription for RU-486, cytotec, pitocin, mifeprex, misoprostol, or any other drug or combination of drugs that are intended to end a pregnancy to the Vital Statistics Branch within 15 days after the end of the month in which the prescription was dispensed.

The bill specifies that such reports may not include information which will identify the patient involved or anyone who may be picking up the prescription on their behalf.

Each year, the Vital Statistics Branch would be required to issue a public report that provides statistics on all data collected including the type of abortion procedure used.

Abortion “Reversal”

The bill requires information on the potential ability of a physician to “reverse” the effects of abortion-inducing drugs—including where additional information may be obtained and contact information for assistance in locating a physician who may aid in the reversal—to be provided with each prescription issued for RU-486, cytotec, pitocin, mifeprex, misoprostol, or any other abortion-inducing drug.

Abortion Complication

The bill requires health-care providers to include whether any abortion complication was known to the provider as a result of the abortion in each abortion report.

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Related Legislation

Similar to HB 115, which failed to pass during the 2018 legislative session.

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Latest Action

1/8/19 – Introduced; referred to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection Committee.

1/11/19 – Passed the state Senate by a 30-6 vote.

3/13/19 – Amended; passed the state House by a 75-19 vote.

3/14/19 – Senate concurred.

3/26/19 – Signed into law by Gov. Matt Bevin (R).

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People