HCS/HBs 1831 & 1472 - This act modifies the informed consent requirements for an abortion by adding new requirements to be obtained at least twenty-four hours prior to an abortion. Some of the new requirements include presenting to the pregnant woman various new printed materials and videos, to be developed by the Department of Health and Senior Services by November 26, 2008, detailing the risks of an abortion and the physiological characteristics of an unborn child at two-week gestational increments. The woman must also be provided with the gestational age of the unborn child at the time the abortion is to be performed and must be given an opportunity to view an active ultrasound of the unborn child and hear the heartbeat of the unborn child, if the heartbeat is audible. Prior to an abortion being performed past twenty-two weeks gestational age, the woman must be provided information regarding the possibility of the abortion causing pain to the unborn child. In addition to the written informed consent, the act requires the physician to discuss the medical assistance and counseling resources available, advise the woman of the father's liability for child support, and provide information about the Alternatives to Abortion Program. This act also creates the crime of knowingly coercing a woman to seek or obtain an abortion. Such coercion includes committing or threatening to do the following: abusing or stalking of the woman, committing an offense against the woman or her family; discharging the woman from her employment; or revoking a scholarship awarded to the woman. A violation of coercing an abortion may range from a Class A felony to a Class A misdemeanor, depending on the prescribed circumstances. This act also creates the crime of knowingly performing, inducing or assisting in an abortion on a woman who is a victim of coerced abortion. The elements of the crime are specified in the act and a violation of such crime constitutes a Class C felony. This act is substantially similar to SB 1058 (2008). ADRIANE CROUSE
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