House Bill No. [insert number] aims to amend existing laws regarding coerced abortion and the associated reporting requirements. The bill redefines the crime of coerced abortion by changing the standard from "intentionally" to "knowingly" engaging in the use or threatened use of force, control, or intimidation against a pregnant woman to compel her to undergo an abortion against her will. It expands the definition of coercion to include various forms of manipulation, such as physical force, exploitation of personal needs, threats, and isolation, among others. The penalties for committing coerced abortion are also updated to allow for imprisonment with or without hard labor for up to five years, in addition to a fine of up to $5,000.

Additionally, the bill modifies the mandatory reporting requirements for law enforcement regarding victims of human trafficking, rape, and coerced abortion. It removes the stipulation that the victim must present at an outpatient abortion facility and changes the reference from "incest" to "crime against nature." Furthermore, the requirement for mandatory reporters to report to law enforcement in the victim's residing parish if different from the facility's location has been deleted. These changes aim to streamline the reporting process and enhance protections for victims of coerced abortion and related crimes.

Statutes affected:
HB425 Original: 40:7(A)(1)