HB 1171 Summary

• Establishes that forcing or coercing a woman to have an abortion against her will is a class C felony in North Dakota.

• Defines "force or coerce" as committing, attempting to commit, or threatening physical harm to a woman, unborn child, or another person to compel an abortion.

• Excludes constitutionally protected speech and generalized statements about lawful pregnancy options from the definition of threats.

• Requires law enforcement, upon victim request, to notify the victim at least 24 hours before initially contacting the person alleged to have committed the violation.

• Defines abortion as terminating a clinically diagnosable pregnancy with knowledge it will cause death of the unborn child, with exceptions for saving life, preserving health, removing dead fetuses, or treating ectopic pregnancies.