130th MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST REGULAR SESSION-2021
Legislative Document No. 825
S.P. 254 In Senate, March 5, 2021
An Act To Ensure Equality in Women's Health Care Access in
Maine by Requiring Facilities Providing Abortions To Inform
Patients of Options and Alternatives
Reference to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator STEWART of Aroostook.
Cosponsored by Senator: KEIM of Oxford.
Printed on recycled paper
 1 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
2 Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1599-A, sub-§2, ¶C, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 61, §4, is
3 amended to read:
4 C. The particular risks associated with her own pregnancy and the abortion technique
5 to be performed; and
6 Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §1599-A, sub-§2, ¶D, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 61, §4, is
7 amended to read:
8 D. At the woman's request, alternatives to abortion such as childbirth and adoption and
9 information concerning public and private agencies that will provide the woman with
10 economic and other assistance to carry the fetus to term, including, if the woman so
11 requests, a list of these agencies and the services available from each.; and
12 Sec. 3. 22 MRSA §1599-A, sub-§2, ¶E is enacted to read:
13 E. That it may be possible to reverse the effects of an abortion-inducing drug if she
14 changes her mind, but that time is of the essence, and information about and assistance
15 with reversing the effects of an abortion-inducing drug are available in the printed
16 materials given to her as described in subsection 3.
17 Sec. 4. 22 MRSA §1599-A, sub-§3 is enacted to read:
18 3. Reversal of abortion-inducing drug. The health care professional, as defined in
19 section 1596, subsection 1, paragraph C, shall ensure that the woman is offered printed
20 materials that include information that it may be possible to reverse the effects of an
21 abortion-inducing drug but that time is of the essence. The materials must include
22 information about where the woman may obtain further information and assistance in
23 locating medical assistance in the reversal of the abortion-inducing drug.
24 The department shall prepare printed materials as required by this subsection.
25 SUMMARY
26 This bill amends the abortion informed consent laws to require the health care
27 professional to tell the pregnant woman that it may be possible to reverse the effects of an
28 abortion-inducing drug, although time is of the essence. The health care professional must
29 make available written materials, prepared by the Department of Health and Human
30 Services, about the possibility of reversing the effects of the drug and how to obtain
31 additional information and medical assistance.
Page 1 - 130LR0832(01)


Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 825, SP 254: 22.1599