2016 -- H 7444

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LC004294

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Ajello, Naughton, Hearn, Kazarian, and Fogarty

     Date Introduced: February 03, 2016

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 4.13

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE ACT

     23-4.13-1. Short title. – This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the

"Reproductive Health care Act."

     23-4.13-2. Noninterference in reproductive health care. – (a) Neither the state, nor any

of its agencies, or political subdivisions shall:

     (1) Interfere with a woman's decision to prevent, commence, continue, or terminate a

pregnancy provided the decision is made prior to fetal viability;

     (2) Restrict the use of medically recognized methods of contraception or abortion; or

     (3) Restrict the manner in which medically recognized methods of contraception or

abortion are provided.

     (b) For purposes of this section, "fetal viability" means that stage of gestation where the

attending physician, taking into account the particular facts of the case, has determined that there

is a reasonable likelihood of the fetus' sustained survival outside of the womb.

     (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate the provisions of § 23-4.7-6 or §

23-17-11.

     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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     This act would prohibit the state from interfering with a woman's decision to prevent,

commence, continue, or terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability, or restricting the use or

manner of medically recognized methods of contraception or abortion.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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