HB1548 Summary

• Establishes the "Abortion Patients' Enhanced Safety Act" to define abortion clinics as ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) and subject them to licensing and regulatory standards prescribed in Oklahoma law.

• Defines "abortion clinic" as any facility other than an accredited hospital performing five or more first trimester abortions in any month or any second or third trimester abortions.

• Makes operation of an abortion clinic without a valid ASC license a misdemeanor offense, with civil penalties up to $500 per day of violation enforceable by the Attorney General and district attorneys.

• Authorizes the State Commissioner of Health to seek injunctive relief against violations and allows the Legislature to intervene in constitutional challenges to the act.

• Becomes effective November 1, 2011, and does not create a right to abortion or make unlawful abortions lawful under existing law.