HB 15-1128 Summary

• Requires all abortion clinics to be licensed by the Department of Public Health and Environment starting January 1, 2016, with licenses valid for one year and renewable annually.

• Mandates on-site inspections prior to licensure and relicensure, with initial license fee of $6,600 and renewal fee of $1,440.

• Requires clinics to employ at least one physician with hospital admitting privileges within 30 miles, present on premises during all abortion procedures until patients are stable and ready for discharge.

• Department must establish rules governing clinic physical facilities, equipment, personnel qualifications, patient medical screening, ultrasound evaluations, abortion procedure standards, recovery room requirements, follow-up care, and incident reporting.

• Creates criminal penalties (misdemeanor fines $50-$500) for operating without a license or recklessly violating the article, and civil penalties up to $5,000 per day of violation enforced by the Attorney General or District Attorney.