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DE SB21
Bill
Status
1/24/2019
Primary Sponsor
Bryant Richardson
Click for details
AI Summary
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Repeals existing sections 1790-1795 of Delaware Code Title 24 and enacts "The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act" to establish a new framework for abortion regulation based on fetal pain capability.
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Prohibits abortion of an unborn child at 20 or more weeks post-fertilization (when presumed capable of feeling pain) unless necessary to prevent serious health risk to the pregnant woman, excluding psychological or emotional conditions.
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Requires physicians to determine probable post-fertilization age before performing abortion except in medical emergencies, using inquiries and medical examinations as a reasonably prudent physician would consider necessary.
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Mandates physicians report all abortions to the Department of Health and Social Services annually with specific information about post-fertilization age determination, method used, and medical justification for late-term procedures; reports must protect patient anonymity.
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Establishes criminal penalties including Class D felony charges for violations, professional license discipline, private civil action rights for women and fathers to recover damages and attorney fees, and injunctive relief authority for the Department of Justice.
Legislative Description
An Act To Amend Title 24 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Unborn Children.
Last Action
Introduced and Assigned to Sunset Committee in Senate
1/24/2019