
Culture & Conversation Law and Policy
This law was last updated on Apr 17, 2019
This law is Anti–Choice Model Bill
HB 975
Failed to Pass
Feb 8, 2019
Co-sponsors: 28
Primary Sponsors: 1
Total Sponsors: 29
HB 975 would prohibit performing or inducing an abortion unless the physician first makes a determination of the probable gestational 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 due to a medical emergency.
The bill states that an abortion does not become necessary if the risk of death or a substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function arises from 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 “unborn child” 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.
A violation of the provisions in this bill would be considered “unprofessional conduct.”
The bill includes legislative findings based on junk science that a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks.
Physician Reporting Requirements
Abortion providers would be required to report certain information to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, including:
The bill would prohibit the department from making such reports available for public inspection, and would require the department to maintain the confidentiality of such reports.
Abortion physician reports would only be made available to the following parties in the following circumstances:
Reporting Requirements
The bill would require the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene to issue a public report providing statistics compiled from all the reports provided by physicians by June 30 of each year.
Related Legislation
Based on model legislation drafted by the National Right to Life Committee.
Companion bill to SB 907.
Identical to HB 1424 (2018) and HB 547 (2017), both of which failed to pass.
Similar to HB 603/SB 749, which failed to pass in 2016.
Similar to HB 1312/SB 456, which failed to pass in 2015.
Latest Action
2/8/19 – Introduced; referred to the House Health and Government Operations Committee.
Co-sponsor
Primary Sponsor