2012 -- H 7041

=======

LC00150

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Ajello, Tanzi, Walsh, Naughton, and Ruggiero

     Date Introduced: January 05, 2012

     Referred To: House Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

1-2

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

1-3

     CHAPTER 4.13

1-4

GOVERNMENT NONINTERFERENCE IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE

1-5

     23-4.13-1. Noninterference in reproductive health care. -- (a) Neither the state nor

1-6

any of its political subdivisions shall interfere with a woman’s personal decision to prevent,

1-7

commence or continue a pregnancy or to terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability, nor shall

1-8

the state or any of its political subdivisions interfere in the third trimester of the pregnancy if such

1-9

termination is necessary to protect the life or health of the woman. Nor shall the state or any of

1-10

its political subdivisions restrict the use of medically appropriate methods of contraception or

1-11

abortion or the manner in which medically appropriate contraception or abortion is provided.

1-12

     (b) For purposes of this section, “fetal viability” means that stage when, in the medical

1-13

judgment of the attending physician, based on the particular facts of the case before the physician,

1-14

there is a reasonable likelihood of the fetus’s sustained survival outside the womb.

1-15

     (c) Nothing contained in this section shall affect the parental consent provisions of

1-16

section 23-4.7-6; or the protection for non participation as afforded under section 23-17-11.

2-17

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

=======

LC00150

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE

***

3-1

     This act would prohibit the state from interfering with certain personal decisions of a

3-2

woman regarding pregnancy, including her decision to terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal

3-3

viability or at any time if such termination is necessary to protect the life or health of the woman.

3-4

     This act would take effect upon passage.

     

=======

LC00150

=======

H7041