The proposed bill aims to establish the West Virginia Chemical Abortion Prohibition Act, which outlines specific offenses related to the provision of chemical abortions by healthcare providers. Under the new law, healthcare providers who administer or attempt to administer a chemical abortion without a physical examination, without being present at the location, without scheduling a follow-up visit, and without providing necessary medical waste disposal kits can face fines of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to three years. Importantly, the bill specifies that patients cannot be prosecuted for receiving a chemical abortion, and it clarifies that the law does not affect the treatment of verified ectopic pregnancies.

Additionally, the bill includes definitions for key terms such as "abortion drug," "chemical abortion," and "healthcare provider," and establishes the responsibility of manufacturers for the proper disposal of discarded abortion drugs, imposing a fine of $20,000 for violations. The legislation also includes a severability clause, ensuring that if any part of the law is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable. Overall, the bill seeks to regulate the practice of chemical abortions in West Virginia while providing protections for patients and outlining responsibilities for healthcare providers and drug manufacturers.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-2S-1, 16-2S-2, 16-2S-3, 16-2S-4, 16-2S-5, 16-2S-6