Comparison of abortion bills

Sunday, February 17, 2013

— House Bill 1037 by Rep. Andy Mayberry, R-Hensley.

Bans abortion 20 weeks after fertilization.

Counts pregnancy from fertilization, which the bill defines as when an ovum is fused with a spermatozoon.

Exempts pregnancy resulting from rape or incest.

Exempts abortions needed to save the life of the mother or when the pregnancy will cause irreversible and catastrophic harm to a major bodily function of the mother.

Specifies that a woman threatening to harm herself or commit suicide is not exempt from the ban.



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Specifies that doctors performing an abortion under an exemption must terminate the pregnancy in a way that provides the best opportunity for the fetus to survive.

States that doctors violating the law are guilty of a Class D felony, punishable by up to six years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000 or both.

Allows a woman who undergoes an illegal abortion or the man who impregnated her to sue the doctor and recover actual and punitive damages.

Senate Bill 134 by Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Bigelow.

Bans abortion as soon as a heartbeat can be detected with an abdominal ultrasound 12 weeks after conception.

Counts pregnancy from conception, which is defined in state law as calculated from the first day of the pregnant woman’s previous menstrual cycle.

Exempts pregnancy resulting from rape or incest.

Exempts abortions done to save the life of the mother or when the pregnancy will cause irreversible and catastrophic harm to a major bodily function of the mother.

Allows abortions in the case of insurmountable health problems when the fetus may not live long outside the womb.

Requires the State Medical Board to revoke the medical license of doctors who perform illegal abortions.

Front Section, Pages 14 on 02/17/2013