H.B. No. 421 - Summary

• Revises informed consent requirements for abortion procedures by requiring physicians to perform ultrasounds, display images to patients, and provide detailed medical information about the procedure, gestational age, and risks including psychological harm and breast cancer.

• Establishes a 24-hour waiting period between initial physician consultation and abortion procedure, during which specific information must be provided verbally or through published state materials about fetal development, risks of pregnancy continuation, and available alternatives.

• Creates new civil liability provisions allowing patients or representatives to sue physicians for compensatory and exemplary damages if informed consent requirements are not met, with exemptions for medical emergencies and good faith efforts to comply.

• Requires the State Medical Board to audit provider compliance with informed consent requirements and empowers the Auditor of State to establish penalties for noncompliance within 180 days of the law's effective date.

• Modifies statute of limitations for civil actions related to abortion informed consent violations and adds disciplinary grounds for physicians who fail to comply with ultrasound and informed consent requirements.