HF 173 (LSB 1541YH (7) 85)

HOUSE FILE 173

BY  WINDSCHITL, ROGERS, KLEIN, KOESTER, FRY, SCHULTZ, HUSEMAN, FISHER, SHEETS, LANDON, HANUSA, MAXWELL, COSTELLO, SALMON, and HAGENOW

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to medical abortions and providing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  146A.1  Medical abortions —— restrictions —— in-person administration —— penalties.
   1.  For the purpose of this section:
   a.  “Medical abortion” means the use of a medication including but not limited to mifepristone or ulipristal acetate to terminate a pregnancy.
   b.  “Physician” means a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery pursuant to chapter 148.
   2.
  a.  Only a physician shall prescribe, dispense, or administer any medication for the purpose of inducing a medical abortion.
   b.  Any physician prescribing, dispensing, or administering a medication for the purpose of inducing a medical abortion shall also comply with all federal regulations relating to the prescribing, dispensing, and administering of such medication.
   c.  A physician shall only administer a medication for the purpose of inducing a medical abortion in person and in a clinic or hospital with the capacity to provide surgical intervention in cases resulting in an incomplete abortion or severe bleeding.
   3.  A physician who knowingly performs a medical abortion in violation of this section is guilty of a serious misdemeanor and is subject to revocation of licensure pursuant to chapter 148.
EXPLANATION
   This bill defines “medical abortion” as the use of a medication including but not limited to mifepristone or ulipristal acetate to terminate a pregnancy. The bill provides that only a physician shall prescribe, dispense, or administer any medication for the purpose of inducing a medical abortion. Additionally, the bill requires that any physician prescribing, dispensing, or administering a medication for the purpose of inducing a medical abortion shall comply with all federal regulations relating to such medication; and a physician shall only administer a medication for the purpose of inducing a medical abortion in person and in a clinic or hospital with the capacity to provide surgical intervention in cases resulting in an incomplete abortion or severe bleeding.
   A physician who knowingly performs a medical abortion in violation of the bill is guilty of a serious misdemeanor and is subject to revocation of licensure pursuant to Code chapter 148. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year or a fine of at least $315 but not more than $1,875, or by both.