House Bill No. 598, introduced by Representative Newell, amends various definitions related to the crime of abortion in Louisiana law. The bill clarifies that the removal of an ectopic pregnancy, whether through surgery or medical treatment, is not considered an abortion, while it removes the previous exception that allowed the use of methotrexate for treating ectopic pregnancies. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of "medically futile" to include not only congenital or chromosomal anomalies incompatible with sustaining life after birth but also spontaneous complications of the pregnancy that would make carrying the unborn child to term likely due to these complications.

Furthermore, the bill introduces "endometrial implantation modification" to the definition of "contraceptive," which encompasses any approved device or drug intended to prevent pregnancy. It also specifies that molar pregnancies and their variants are not classified as clinically diagnosable pregnancies. Overall, the bill seeks to refine the legal framework surrounding abortion and related medical procedures in Louisiana.

Statutes affected:
HB598 Original: 14:1(1)