HB 16-1218 Summary

• Creates the "Women's Reproductive Information Guarantee for Health and Transparency (RIGHT) Act" requiring abortion providers to obtain voluntary and informed consent at least 24 hours before performing an abortion.

• Mandates abortion providers offer women an ultrasound showing the fetus's entire body, with oral description of features, audible heartbeat if present, and a photograph or print upon request at no additional charge.

• Requires providers to give women written and oral information including physician name, description of abortion procedure, gestational age with fetal development charts, medical risks, alternatives to abortion, and available financial assistance for prenatal care and adoption.

• Establishes civil causes of action against providers for damages, punitive damages, and treble damages for violations; makes violations of informed consent requirements an unclassified misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 per violation.

• Designates violation of the act as unprofessional conduct for physicians and takes effect upon passage.