Assembly Bill 546 seeks to amend the definition of abortion in Wisconsin law, specifically regarding the circumstances under which a physician may perform medical procedures intended to prevent the death of a pregnant woman without being classified as an abortion. The bill stipulates that procedures such as early induction, cesarean sections performed due to medical emergencies, and the removal of dead embryos or fetuses, as well as ectopic, anembryonic, or molar pregnancies, will not be considered abortions if the physician makes reasonable efforts to preserve both the woman's life and that of her unborn child. This change is intended to clarify the legal framework surrounding abortion and related medical procedures.

The bill includes several insertions and deletions to existing statutes to reflect these changes. Notably, it renumbers and amends various sections of the law, including the definitions of "abortion" and "unborn child," and creates new definitions for terms such as "anembryonic pregnancy," "ectopic pregnancy," and "molar pregnancy." Additionally, it specifies that the revised definition of abortion will apply to various provisions related to abortion funding, parental consent, and reporting requirements. Overall, the bill aims to provide clearer guidelines for medical professionals and legal authorities regarding the treatment of pregnant women in critical medical situations.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 253.10(2)(h), 253.10