NC H563

Repeals abortion restrictions in conflict with the U.S. Supreme Court's Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt decision, which found that abortion regulations must provide legitimate health benefits and cannot impose substantial burdens on access.

Removes the 20-week gestational age limit for abortion procedures and eliminates requirements for physician qualifications, ultrasound measurements, and medical emergency documentation for abortions after 20 weeks.

Allows any health care provider operating within their scope of practice to perform abortions, rather than limiting procedures to qualified physicians in hospitals or certified clinics.

Establishes that any state law or regulation burdening abortion access is unenforceable unless it confers legitimate health benefits, defining burdens as actions that force provider closures, increase wait times, require unnecessary visits, increase costs, or decrease access.

Becomes effective October 1, 2017, and repeals Articles 1I and 1K of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.