This bill seeks to amend the Code of West Virginia by removing the exceptions for obtaining an abortion in cases of rape and incest. Specifically, it eliminates the provisions that allowed adults and minors to seek an abortion within certain time frames if their pregnancies resulted from sexual assault or incest, provided they reported the incidents to law enforcement or received medical treatment. The current law's stipulations regarding these exceptions are entirely deleted, meaning that the only circumstances under which an abortion may be performed are if the embryo or fetus is nonviable, the pregnancy is ectopic, or a medical emergency exists.

Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for performing abortions, including that they cannot utilize the partial birth abortion procedure and must be conducted in a licensed hospital by a medical professional with hospital privileges in West Virginia. These changes aim to tighten the regulations surrounding abortion procedures in the state, reflecting a significant shift in the legal landscape regarding reproductive rights.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-2R-3