2017 -- H 5343

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LC000571

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Ajello, Walsh, Donovan, Ranglin-Vassell, and
Casimiro

     Date Introduced: February 02, 2017

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 4.13

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REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE ACT

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     23-4.13-1. Short title.

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     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Reproductive Health care Act."

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     23-4.13-2. Noninterference in reproductive health care.

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     (a) Neither the state, nor any of its agencies, or political subdivisions shall:

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

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pregnancy provided the decision is made prior to fetal viability;

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

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

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abortion are provided.

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

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

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

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

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§23-17-11.

 

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     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,

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

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manner of medically recognized methods of contraception or abortion.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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