S-0823.1

SENATE BILL 5416

BySenators Padden, Fortunato, Holy, McCune, and Warnick

AN ACT Relating to prohibiting abortion on the basis of Down syndrome; amending RCW 9.02.110 and 9.02.170; and adding new sections to chapter 9.02 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 9.02 RCW to read as follows:

(1) No person may intentionally perform or induce, or attempt to perform or induce, an abortion on a pregnant woman if the person has knowledge that the pregnant woman is seeking the abortion, in whole or in part, because of any of the following:

(a) A test result indicating Down syndrome in an unborn child;

(b) A prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome in an unborn child; or

(c) Any other reason to believe that an unborn child has Down syndrome.

(2) Whoever violates subsection (1) of this section is subject to the penalties established in RCW 9.02.120.

(3) The Washington medical commission or the board of osteopathic medicine and surgery, as applicable, must revoke the license of a physician who has violated subsection (1) of this section.

(4) Any physician who violates subsection (1) of this section is liable in a civil action for compensatory and exemplary damages, as well as reasonable attorneys' fees, to the person, or the representative of the estate of any person, who sustains injury, death, or loss to person or property as the result of the intentional performance or inducement, or the attempted performance or inducement, of the abortion. In any action under this subsection, the court may also award injunctive or other equitable relief that the court considers appropriate.

(5) A pregnant woman on whom an abortion is intentionally performed or induced, or attempted to be performed or induced, in violation of subsection (1) of this section is not guilty of violating subsection (1) of this section or attempting to commit, conspiring to commit, or complicity in committing a violation of subsection (1) of this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 9.02 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The attending physician performing or inducing an abortion must indicate in a report to the department of health that the attending physician does not have knowledge that the pregnant woman was seeking the abortion, in whole or in part, because of any of the following:

(a) A test result indicating Down syndrome in an unborn child;

(b) A prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome in an unborn child; or

(c) Any other reason to believe that an unborn child has Down syndrome.

(2) The department of health shall adopt rules to facilitate the submission of the reports, including establishing reporting forms and allowing for the incorporation of reporting into existing reporting requirements for hospitals and facilities where abortions are performed or induced.

Sec. 3. RCW 9.02.110 and 1992 c 1 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

The state may not deny or interfere with a woman's right to choose to have an abortion prior to viability of the fetus, except when prohibited by section 1 of this act, or to protect her life or health.

A physician may terminate and a health care provider may assist a physician in terminating a pregnancy as permitted by this section.

Sec. 4. RCW 9.02.170 and 1992 c 1 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

For purposes of this chapter:

(1) "Viability" means the point in the pregnancy when, in the judgment of the physician on the particular facts of the case before such physician, there is a reasonable likelihood of the fetus's sustained survival outside the uterus without the application of extraordinary medical measures.

(2) "Abortion" means any medical treatment intended to induce the termination of a pregnancy except for the purpose of producing a live birth.

(3) "Pregnancy" means the reproductive process beginning with the implantation of an embryo.

(4) "Physician" means a physician licensed to practice under chapter 18.57 or 18.71 RCW in the state of Washington.

(5) "Health care provider" means a physician or a person acting under the general direction of a physician.

(6) "State" means the state of Washington and counties, cities, towns, municipal corporations, and quasi-municipal corporations in the state of Washington.

(7) "Private medical facility" means any medical facility that is not owned or operated by the state.

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