CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTERS; INFORMED CONSENT
House Bill 6254
Sponsor: Rep. Judith Scranton
Committee: Family and Children Services
Complete to 8-15-02
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6254 AS INTRODUCED 8-13-02
The bill would require crisis pregnancy centers to obtain informed consent from women prior to the provision of services. Specifically, in order to obtain informed consent, the following requirements would have to be satisfied:
· The center would have to provide the pregnant woman, orally and in writing, with medically accurate and objective information on the full range of options regarding the pregnancy (including abortion, parenting, and adoption) and the medical risks associated with abortion, pregnancy, and childbirth, and inform the woman of her right to obtain printed materials listing the medical clinics and hospitals that provide abortion services.
· Upon request, the center would have to provide the women with geographically indexed printed materials listing the medical clinics and hospitals that provide abortion services.
· The pregnant woman would have to certify in writing that the required information has been provided to her, and the center would have to receive a copy of the certificate.
· The center would have to post a notice stating that none of the services provided by the center are provided by licensed medical professionals and that the center does not provide information on how to obtain an abortion, abortion services, or birth control information.
· The center would have to distribute the Department of Community Health pamphlet on prenatal care and parenting.
Furthermore, the bill adds that if a crisis pregnancy center were to provide a pregnant woman with services without first obtaining informed consent, the woman could maintain an action against the center for actual and punitive damages.
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.