The proposed bill aims to regulate the performance and reporting of abortions deemed necessary to preserve the life of a pregnant female. It introduces new definitions for key terms such as "abortion," "ectopic pregnancy," "miscarriage," and "unborn child," clarifying the circumstances under which an abortion may be performed. Specifically, it stipulates that an abortion can only be justified if the attending physician determines that the pregnant female suffers from a physical condition that poses a reasonably foreseeable risk of death, and it emphasizes the need for the physician to make reasonable efforts to preserve both the life of the pregnant female and her unborn child. Additionally, the bill mandates that abortions must be performed in licensed hospitals unless a medical emergency necessitates otherwise.

The bill also amends existing laws regarding penalties for performing abortions. It establishes that any person who commits an abortion without the necessary medical justification is guilty of a Class 6 felony. Furthermore, it requires physicians to report abortions to the Department of Health and to document the medical necessity of the procedure in the patient's medical record within thirty days. The bill clarifies that abortions cannot be justified based on the physician's belief that the female may harm herself or on psychological conditions. Overall, the legislation seeks to impose stricter regulations on abortion practices while ensuring that the health and safety of pregnant females are prioritized.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 02/03/2026: 22-17-5.1, 22-17-6, 22-17-13, 34-23A-1