HB 1409 - Summary

• Increases mandatory waiting period for abortion from 24 hours to 72 hours before procedure, requiring woman to receive informed consent information from physician by telephone or in person.

• Requires abortion facilities with websites to publish easily identifiable link on homepage directing to State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision's website (www.awomansright.org) containing informed consent materials.

• Expands required pre-abortion information to include medical risks of abortion procedure, probable gestational age of unborn child, medical risks of carrying child to term, and availability of ultrasound imaging and heartbeat monitoring at no cost.

• Requires State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision to publish printed materials in English and Spanish describing fetal development at two-week gestational increments, abortion methods and risks, psychological effects, and the statement "Abortion shall terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being."

• Effective date November 1, 2015; includes savings clause providing that if amended provisions are enjoined by court order, remaining provisions continue in effect until injunction is dissolved.