sb66_Committee_sub_LC_36_0562S_4.html
07 LC 36 0562S

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee offered the following substitute to SB 66:
RECOMMITTED

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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; 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 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. 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 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.
(f) An ultrasound or sonogram examination shall not be required pursuant to this Code section where a pregnancy is the result of rape or incest."

SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.