Ultrasound Informed Consent Act

Bill: 114-hr-492
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Duncan, Jeff [R-SC-3]
Introduced: 2015-01-22
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion

Civil actions and liability

Health information and medical records

Medical ethics

Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Sex and reproductive health

Women's health
Latest action: action_date: 2015-01-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-01-22
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Ultrasound Informed Consent Act</b></p> <p>Amends the Public Health Service Act to require abortion providers, before a woman gives informed consent to any part of an abortion, to perform an obstetric ultrasound on the pregnant woman, provide a simultaneous explanation of what the ultrasound is depicting, display the ultrasound images so the woman may view them, and provide a complete medical description of the images, including the dimensions of the embryo or fetus, cardiac activity if present and visible, and the presence of external members and internal organs if present and viewable. </p> <p>Prohibits construing this Act to require a woman to view the images or penalizing the provider or the woman if she declines to look at the images.</p> <p>Exempts an abortion provider if the abortion is necessary to save the life of a woman whose life is endangered by a physical condition. Requires the provider to include in the woman's medical file a certification of the specific medical circumstances that support this determination.</p> <p>Authorizes the Attorney General to commence a civil action in federal court against any abortion provider who knowingly violates this Act. Prescribes penalties. Directs the Attorney General to notify the appropriate state medical licensing authority of penalties assessed. Authorizes a woman upon whom an abortion has been performed in violation of this Act to commence a civil action against the provider for actual and punitive damages.</p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 492 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 22, 2015 Mr. Duncan of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. Pearce , Mr. Jones , Mr. Roe of Tennessee , Mr. Latta , Mr. Nunnelee , Mr. Messer , Mr. Franks of Arizona , Mr. Gibbs , Mr. Miller of Florida , and Mr. Huizenga of Michigan ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To ensure that women seeking an abortion receive an ultrasound and the opportunity to review the ultrasound before giving informed consent to receive an abortion.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ultrasound Informed Consent Act . 2. Amendment to the Public Health Service Act The Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 201 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: XXXIV INFORMED CONSENT 3401. Definitions In this title: (1) Abortion The term abortion means the intentional use or prescription of any instrument, medicine, drug, substance, device, or method to terminate the life of an unborn child, or to terminate the pregnancy of a woman known to be pregnant, with an intention other than— (A) to produce a live birth and preserve the life and health of the child after live birth; or (B) to remove an ectopic pregnancy, or to remove a dead unborn child who died as the result of a spontaneous abortion, accidental trauma, or a criminal assault on the pregnant female or her unborn child. (2) Abortion provider The term abortion provider means any person legally qualified to perform an abortion under applicable Federal and State laws. (3) Unborn child The term unborn child means a member of the species homo sapiens, at any stage of development prior to birth. (4) Unemancipated minor The term unemancipated minor means a minor who is subject to the control, authority, and supervision of his or her parent or guardian, as determined under State law. (5) Woman The term woman means a female human being whether or not she has reached the age of majority. 3402. Requirement of informed consent (a) Requirement of compliance by providers Any abortion provider in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, who knowingly performs any abortion, shall comply with the requirements of this title. (b) Performance and review of ultrasound Prior to a woman giving informed consent to having any part of an abortion performed, the abortion provider who is to perform the abortion, or an agent under the supervision of the provider, shall— (1) perform an obstetric ultrasound on the pregnant woman; (2) provide a simultaneous explanation of what the ultrasound is depicting; (3) display the ultrasound images so that the pregnant woman may view them; and (4) provide a complete medical description of the ultrasound images, which shall include all of the following: the dimensions of the embryo or fetus, cardiac activity if present and visible, and the presence of external members and internal organs if present and viewable. (c) Ability To Turn Eyes Away Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a pregnant woman from turning her eyes away from the ultrasound images required to be displayed and described to her. Neither the abortion provider nor the pregnant woman shall be subject to any penalty under this title if the pregnant woman declines to look at the displayed ultrasound images. 3403. Exception for medical emergencies (a) Exception The provisions of section 3402 shall not apply to an abortion provider if the abortion is necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself. (b) Certification Upon a determination by an abortion provider under subsection (a) that an abortion is necessary to save the life of a mother, such provider shall include in the medical file of the pregnant woman a truthful and accurate certification of the specific medical circumstances that support such determination. 3404. Penalties for failure to comply (a) Civil penalties (1) In general The Attorney General may commence a civil action in Federal court under this section against any abortion provider who knowingly commits an act constituting a violation of this title for a penalty in an amount not to exceed— (A) $100,000 for each such violation that is adjudicated in the first proceeding against such provider under this title; and (B) $250,000 for each violation of this title that is adjudicated in a subsequent proceeding against such provider under this title. (2) Notification Upon the assessment of a civil penalty under paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall notify the appropriate State medical licensing authority. (b) Private right of action A woman upon whom an abortion has been performed in violation of this title may commence a civil action against the abortion provider for any violation of this title for actual and punitive damages. For purposes of the preceding sentence, actual damages are objectively verifiable money damages for all injuries. . 3. Preemption Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act shall be construed to preempt any provision of State law to the extent that such State law establishes, implements, or continues in effect disclosure requirements regarding abortion or penalties for failure to comply with such requirements that are more extensive than those provided under the amendment made by this Act. 4. Severability If any provision of this Act, or any application thereof, is found to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act and any application thereof shall not be affected by such finding.