This bill seeks to amend the North Dakota Century Code by establishing an abortion approval committee and outlining a structured framework for abortion procedures, including an emergency medical exception. It introduces new legal language that modifies the definition of "abortion" and clarifies the conditions under which abortions may be performed, emphasizing informed consent and the circumstances qualifying as medical emergencies. Key amendments include the removal of previous language that defined certain abortions based on reasonable medical judgment and the introduction of a more structured consent process for minors. The bill also updates definitions related to abortion facilities and mandates the publication of scientifically accurate materials to inform women about available resources and the implications of abortion.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that a physician must inform a woman of the medical reasons for an abortion and obtain written consent from a parent or guardian if the woman is under eighteen and unmarried. It allows for abortions in medical emergencies without prior committee approval and establishes confidentiality for discussions and records from the abortion approval committee. The bill outlines conditions for performing abortions at different gestational stages, requiring medical necessity and committee approval for procedures beyond fifteen weeks, while repealing certain existing provisions to streamline the legal framework surrounding abortion in North Dakota.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 12.1-19.1-03, 14-02.1-02, 14-02.1-02.1, 14-02.1-02.2, 14-02.1-03, 14-02.1-03.1, 14-02.1-05, 14-02.1-07, 14-02.1-08, 14-02.1-09, 14-10-15, 14-10-19