Senate Bill 848 - Protect Reproductive Health

• Codifies the protections established in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, prohibiting the state from imposing an undue burden on a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy before fetal viability, while allowing restrictions after viability unless necessary to preserve the woman's life or health.

• Guarantees North Carolina women the right to access abortion and contraception in other states, and protects individuals who assist women in obtaining out-of-state abortions from criminal liability.

• Creates criminal penalties (Class H felony, effective December 1, 2024) for obstructing access to abortion facilities, injuring or threatening those seeking abortions, harassment, and publishing personal information of individuals seeking abortions.

• Establishes a private right of action allowing individuals to sue those who interfere with access to abortion services, with a statute of limitations of 25 years or 4 years after discovery, and authorizes courts to award compensatory and punitive damages plus attorneys' fees (effective October 1, 2024).

• Prohibits tracking of emergency contraception purchases through payment codes or records, protects the right to use contraception, exempts individuals providing transportation to abortions from criminal liability, and bans geofencing within one mile of abortion clinics to track or collect health information from patients.