The bill amends various sections of the Iowa Code related to abortion, specifically defining abortion and establishing prerequisites for the dispensing of abortion-inducing drugs. It clarifies that abortion does not include treatment for spontaneous terminations of pregnancy, such as miscarriages, or the treatment of ectopic pregnancies. Additionally, it mandates that physicians perform an in-person examination of the pregnant woman prior to an abortion, including screening for coercion or abuse, and requires informed consent regarding the risks associated with abortion-inducing drugs.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new definitions and regulations surrounding the dispensing of abortion-inducing drugs, stipulating that they must be dispensed in a healthcare setting and by authorized personnel. It establishes civil liability for those who dispense these drugs in violation of the law, while also ensuring that women who undergo chemical abortions are not held liable. The bill also includes amendments to reporting requirements related to induced and spontaneous terminations of pregnancy, and it repeals Chapter 146C of the Iowa Code.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 146B.1, 146A.1, 146F.2, 144.29A
Reprinted: 146B.1, 146E.1, 146A.1, 146F.2, 144.29A