07 LC 33
2072S
The
Senate Health and Human Services Committee offered the following substitute to
HB 147:
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; to require such
facilities to offer 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)
As a part of the informed consent to the abortion procedure, a pregnant female
desiring an abortion shall be offered an ultrasound or sonogram examination of
her unborn child and an opportunity to view such ultrasound or sonogram image of
her unborn child. Such examination may be performed on site or by referral to
another medical facility for the performance of such examination. 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.
(c)
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 have an ultrasound or sonogram examination of her unborn child
and to view such ultrasound or sonogram image of her unborn child prior to the
abortion being performed.
(d)
It shall be illegal to fail intentionally or to refuse to offer a pregnant
female desiring an abortion an opportunity to have an ultrasound or sonogram
examination of her unborn child and to view such ultrasound or sonogram image of
her unborn child prior to performing an abortion. Violation of this Code
section shall be reported to the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners for
disciplinary action."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.