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SB 139 - Under this act, no physician shall perform or induce an abortion on a pregnant woman without first performing a heartbeat detection test on the unborn child. Except in cases of medical emergency, a physician shall not perform or induce an abortion if a heartbeat of an unborn child is detected and shall inform the woman, in writing, that such abortion cannot be performed or induced. If a heartbeat is not detected, an abortion may be performed or induced, in accordance with applicable law, so long as the abortion is performed or induced within 96 hours of the heartbeat detection test. If more than 96 hours has passed since the heartbeat detection test, the physician shall perform a new test prior to an abortion. The physician shall record the estimated gestational age of the unborn child as well as the time, date, method, and results of the heartbeat detection test in the woman's medical record and in the abortion report submitted to the Department of Health and Senior Services. Any physician who fails to perform a heartbeat detection test prior to the performance or inducement of an abortion shall be subject to having his or her medical license rejected, revoked, or suspended for 6 months and shall pay a $1,000 fine. Any physician who performs or induces an abortion following the detection of a heartbeat of the unborn child shall have his or her license revoked and any future license application denied. No woman upon whom an abortion was performed or induced in violation of this act shall be prosecuted for a conspiracy to violate the provisions of this act. This act is substantially similar to SB 714 (2018) and SB 408 (2017). SARAH HASKINS
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