HB493 Summary

• Requires physicians to orally inform pregnant women seeking abortion for lethal fetal anomalies about perinatal hospice services as an alternative, at least 48 hours before the procedure.

• Mandates that women be provided a free, geographically-organized list of perinatal hospice programs available statewide and nationally, with information available on the Department of Public Health website.

• Defines lethal fetal anomaly as a fetal condition diagnosed before birth that will result in the child's death within three months after birth with reasonable certainty.

• Establishes criminal penalties: Class B misdemeanor for first offense, Class A misdemeanor for second offense, and Class C felony for third or subsequent offenses; does not penalize the pregnant woman.

• Provides civil liability for violations including compensatory and punitive damages, and requires automatic license suspension of at least one year for healthcare providers convicted of a second offense.