House Bill No. by Representative Newell amends the definitions related to the crime of abortion in Louisiana law. The bill clarifies that the term "abortion" does not include the removal of a dead unborn child or the delivery of uterine contents in cases of spontaneous miscarriage, provided there is a positive diagnosis certified in writing. It also specifies that the removal of ectopic pregnancies or any variant of molar pregnancies, whether through surgery or medical treatment, is not considered an abortion. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of medical procedures that are not classified as abortions to include treatments for cancer and blood disorders, while removing the requirement for physicians to make reasonable efforts to preserve the life of the unborn child.

Furthermore, the bill updates the definition of "contraceptive" to include endometrial implantation modification and revises the definition of "medically futile" to encompass spontaneous complications of pregnancy that make carrying the unborn child to term unlikely. The proposed changes aim to provide clearer guidelines regarding abortion-related medical practices and definitions, reflecting current medical understanding and practices.

Statutes affected:
HB63 Original: 14:1(1)