Title 23
Health and Safety

Chapter 4.7
Informed Consent for Abortion

R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-4.7-3

§ 23-4.7-3. Required disclosures.

(a) Either the physician who is to perform the abortion or his or her authorized agent or another physician or his or her authorized agent shall:

(1) Inform the woman that she is pregnant and inform her of the estimated gestational age of the fetus at the time of the disclosure.

(2) Explain to the woman the medical nature of an abortion, including the probable gestational age of the fetus at the time the abortion is to be performed.

(3) Explain to the woman the medical or surgical procedure to be employed to perform the abortion.

(4) Explain to the woman all known material medical risks associated with the particular abortion procedure to be employed. In the event a physician or his or her authorized agent determines that the disclosure of a known material risk should not be made, that risk need not be disclosed, provided the medical basis for the nondisclosure is certified in writing in the patient’s medical record.

(b) In addition, a physician or his or her authorized agent may inform the woman of any other material facts or opinions or otherwise state anything with respect to the disclosures required in this section which, in the exercise of his or her best medical judgment, is reasonably necessary to enable the woman to give her informed consent to the proposed abortion, with full knowledge of its nature and consequences.

History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 323, § 2.