SB1366 amends Arizona law to require licensed medical and osteopathic physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to inform pregnant patients, whose visit is related to the pregnancy, of specific information. This information includes the availability of medical assistance benefits for prenatal care, childbirth, and neonatal care; the liability of the child's father to provide support; the availability of public and private agencies to assist during and after pregnancy; the unlawfulness of coercing a woman to undergo an abortion; the existence of a Department of Health Services website detailing the unborn child and listing agencies offering abortion alternatives; and the woman's right to review the website and receive a free printed copy of its materials if desired. The bill also allows the omission of the father's liability statement in cases of rape or incest.

The bill represents a change from current law, which requires that similar information be provided at least 24 hours before an abortion is performed. The new bill expands the requirement to inform pregnant patients of these details during any pregnancy-related visit, not just in the context of seeking an abortion. The bill also specifies the inclusion of information about the Department of Health Services website and the provision of printed materials from the website at no charge.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 13-3015
Senate Engrossed Version: 32-3230.02