Pennsylvania Heartbeat Abortion Ban (HB 2315)

HB 2315 would prohibit the performance of an abortion from the time a fetus has a detectable heartbeat.

A fetal heartbeat can be detected as early as six weeks of pregnancy—two weeks after a woman’s first missed period—and well before many women even realize that they are pregnant.

Prior to an abortion, the physician would be required to conduct a physical examination of the pregnant person and the fetus to determine if there is a fetal heartbeat present. The bill states that the physician should utilize their “best clinical judgment” to determine whether or not a fetal heartbeat is present. If a fetal heartbeat is detected, the physician would be prohibited from performing the abortion.

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