Senate Bill 457 Summary

• Amends informed consent requirements for abortion by requiring information be provided both orally and in writing (previously oral only), effective July 1, 2011.

• Expands required disclosures to include physician name and medical license number, 24-hour emergency contact information, follow-up care availability, fetal pain capability at 20 weeks, safe haven law information, and breast cancer risk information.

• Requires pregnant women to receive written materials from the state department of health containing scientific information about fetal development by gestational age, medical risks of abortion procedures, pregnancy alternatives, and support services.

• Mandates the state department of health develop and post comprehensive materials on its website including fetal anatomical characteristics every two weeks of gestation, abortion procedure risks, pregnancy continuation risks, financial assistance information, and a geographically-indexed list of agencies providing pregnancy and adoption services.

• Requires written certification that the pregnant woman received required information and was offered the opportunity to view fetal ultrasound imaging and hear fetal heart tone before abortion can be performed.