An Act To Educate Women on the Medical Risks Associated with Abortion
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1599-A, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 61, §4, is repealed.
Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §1599-A, sub-§3 is enacted to read:
3. Information 24 hours in advance; informed consent. To ensure that the consent for an abortion is truly informed consent, at least 24 hours before the abortion the attending physician shall provide to the woman the following information, both orally and in writing, and the brochure under subsection 4:
A. The name of the physician who is to perform the abortion;
B. A description of the procedure to be used;
C. The risks of the abortion procedure and the risks of childbirth;
D. Scientifically accurate information about the fetus;
E. The availability of medical benefits; and
F. The father's liability for support.
Sec. 3. 22 MRSA §1599-A, sub-§4 is enacted to read:
4. Brochure. The department shall publish and periodically update as necessary a brochure that explains the risks of and alternatives to abortion and provides scientifically accurate information concerning the development of a fetus. The brochure must also include information concerning public and private agencies that will provide a woman with economic and other assistance to carry the fetus to term. The department shall send copies of the brochure to each physician licensed and practicing in this State and shall make the brochure available online.
summary
The bill requires that in order to ensure that informed consent is obtained from a woman seeking an abortion, specific information must be provided both orally and in writing to a woman seeking an abortion at least 24 hours before the abortion is performed. The Department of Health and Human Services shall develop a brochure that contains required information and provide copies to physicians and make the brochure available online.