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Culture & Conversation Abortion
This law was last updated on Apr 17, 2019
This law is Anti–Choice
HB 978
Failed to Pass
Feb 8, 2019
Co-sponsors: 25
Primary Sponsors: 1
Total Sponsors: 26
HB 978 would prohibit a physician from performing or inducing an abortion on a pregnant person if it has been determined that the fetus has a detectable heartbeat.
A fetal heartbeat can be detected as early as six weeks of pregnancy—two weeks after a person’s first missed period—and well before many even realize that they are pregnant.
The bill would require a physician to first determine whether the fetus the pregnant person is carrying has a detectable heartbeat. The bill requires the physician to use a method to detect the fetal heartbeat that is “consistent with the standard of care.”
A physician would be able to perform an abortion only in cases of medical emergency or if it has been determined that there is no detectable heartbeat.
A person who violates this provision would be guilty of a felony and subject to up to one year in prison, a fine, and disciplinary action.
Records
A physician who attempts to detect a fetal heartbeat would need to include the following in the patient’s medical record:
A person who violates this provision would be guilty of a misdemeanor—punishable by up to six months in prison and/or a $1,000 fine.
The bill would repeal certain provisions of law which prohibit the state from interfering with the decision of an individual to terminate a pregnancy before the fetus is viable; or any time during a pregnancy if it’s necessary to protect the pregnant person’s life or the fetus has a serious abnormality.
Related Legislation
Companion bill to SB 1008.
Similar to HB 933 and HB 1195.
Latest Action
2/8/19 – Introduced; referred to House Health and Government Operations Committee.
Co-sponsor
Primary Sponsor