
Culture & Conversation Human Rights
This law was last updated on Aug 28, 2015
This law is Anti–Choice
SB 456
Failed to Pass
Jan 30, 2013
Co-sponsors: 1
Primary Sponsors: 1
Total Sponsors: 2
SB 456 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 to avert the woman’s death or a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function, other than a psychological condition.
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 woman will engage in conduct that may result in her 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. No such greater risk would exist if it is based on a claim or diagnosis that the woman 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.
A violation of the provision would be considered “unprofessional conduct.”
Physician Reporting Requirements
Abortion providers would be required to report certain information to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, including:
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.
STATUS
Companion bill to HB 1312.
Co-sponsor
Primary Sponsor