HB14-1388 Summary

• Establishes a civil cause of action allowing a woman to sue for damages if her pregnancy is unlawfully terminated by someone acting intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly.

• Explicitly does not confer legal personhood or associated rights upon a human embryo, fetus, or unborn child at any stage of development prior to live birth.

• Woman may recover economic damages, noneconomic damages, and exemplary damages as permitted by law; liability is established by preponderance of the evidence.

• Exempts health care institutions and professionals from liability when providing health care services with the woman's consent or where consent is implied by law; exempts women from liability for acts regarding their own pregnancy.

• Actions must be commenced within three years after the woman has reason to know her pregnancy was unlawfully terminated; takes effect July 1, 2014.