HB 3237 - DIGEST

Provides no abortion shall be performed except with the voluntary and informed consent of the woman upon whom the abortion is to be performed.

Requires, within ninety days of the effective date of this act, the department of health to cause to be printed materials and an informational video in English and Spanish that is easily comprehensible at a sixth grade level and that describes the anatomical and physiological characteristics of an unborn child at various stages from conception to natural birth, describes the various methods of abortion used to terminate the life of an unborn child, lists alternatives to abortion, and provides a comprehensive list of the addresses and phone numbers of agencies that offer alternatives to abortion and services to assist a woman through pregnancy, upon childbirth, and while the child is dependent, including but not limited to adoption agencies.

Provides any physician who violates the provisions of this act is guilty of unprofessional conduct and his or her license for the practice of medicine and surgery shall be subject to suspension or revocation.

Provides any physician who performs an abortion without first obtaining the certification required by this act or with knowledge or reason to know that the informed consent of the woman has not been obtained is for the first offense guilty of a misdemeanor and for each subsequent offense is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Provides any physician who complies with the provisions of this act may not be held civilly liable to his or her patient or the patient's representative for failure to obtain informed consent to the abortion.