The bill amends Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes regarding abortion, specifically focusing on medical consultation and informed consent. It removes the requirement for a private medical consultation with the physician performing the abortion or the referring physician, except in medical emergencies. Additionally, it clarifies that a physician's best clinical judgment in determining the necessity of an abortion can consider various factors related to the woman's well-being, while explicitly stating that abortions sought solely based on the sex of the unborn child are not deemed necessary.
Furthermore, the bill modifies the informed consent process by eliminating specific requirements for the physician to provide detailed information to the woman at least 24 hours prior to the abortion. This includes the nature of the procedure, risks, alternatives, and information about the unborn child, as well as the availability of medical assistance benefits. The changes aim to streamline the informed consent process while maintaining the requirement for voluntary and informed consent from the woman before the procedure. The act is set to take effect in 60 days.