07 LC 28
3308
Senate
Bill 66
By:
Senators Schaefer of the 50th, Williams of the 19th, Rogers of the 21st, Douglas
of the 17th, Hudgens of the 47th and others
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Article 5 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to abortion, so as to require access to certain medical
equipment for facilities where abortions are performed and facilities of
physicians who refer for abortions; to require such facilities to perform
certain procedures prior to performing an abortion; to provide for certain
forms; to provide a penalty for violations; to provide for related matters; to
repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Article
5 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to abortion, is amended by adding a new Code Section 16-12-141.2 to read as
follows:
"16-12-141.2.
(a)
All facilities in which abortions are performed and all facilities of physicians
who refer for abortions either shall have functional ultrasound or sonogram
equipment on site or shall provide information regarding medical facilities that
provide ultrasound or sonogram services.
(b)
An ultrasound or sonogram examination of each unborn child shall be performed
prior to an abortion being performed or a referral for an abortion being made.
Such examination may be performed on site or by referral to another medical
facility for the performance of such examination.
(c)
As a part of the informed consent to the abortion procedure, a pregnant female
desiring an abortion shall be offered an opportunity to view the ultrasound or
sonogram image of her unborn child. The pregnant female shall be provided with
a list of health care providers, facilities, and clinics that offer to perform
ultrasound or sonogram examinations free of charge. The list shall be arranged
geographically and shall include the name, address, hours of operation, and
telephone number of each listed entity.
(d)
The Department of Human Resources shall develop and distribute a form by which
physicians who perform abortions or refer for abortions may verify that the
pregnant female was offered an opportunity to view the ultrasound or sonogram
image of her unborn child prior to the abortion being performed.
(e)
It shall be illegal to fail intentionally or to refuse to offer a pregnant
female desiring an abortion an opportunity to view the ultrasound or sonogram
image of her unborn child prior to performing an abortion. Violation of this
Code section shall be punished as for a misdemeanor."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
