H5626

	2015 -- H 5626
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	LC001161
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	STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015
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	A N A C T
	RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE ACT

	Introduced By: Representatives Ajello, Tanzi, Handy, Bennett, and Craven
	Date Introduced: February 25, 2015
	Referred To: House Judiciary
	It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1	SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby
2	amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
3	CHAPTER 4.13
4	REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE ACT
5	23-4.13-1. Short title. – This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the
6	"Reproductive Health care Act."
7	23-4.13-2. Noninterference in reproductive health care. – (a) Neither the state, nor any
8	of its agencies, or political subdivisions shall:
9	(1) Interfere with a woman's decision to prevent, commence, continue, or terminate a
10	pregnancy provided the decision is made prior to fetal viability;
11	(2) Restrict the use of medically recognized methods of contraception or abortion; or
12	(3) Restrict the manner in which medically recognized methods of contraception or
13	abortion are provided.
14	(b) For purposes of this section, "fetal viability" means that stage of gestation where the
15	attending physician, taking into account the particular facts of the case, has determined that there
16	is a reasonable likelihood of the fetus' sustained survival outside of the womb.
17	(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate the provisions of § 23-4.7-6 or §
18	23-17-11.

1	SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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	EXPLANATION
	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
	OF
	A N A C T
	RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE ACT
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1	This act would establish circumstances under which a woman is entitled to reproductive
2	health care without interference.
3	This act would take effect upon passage.
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	LC001161
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