CORRECTED

H.B. 314

127th General Assembly

(As Introduced)

Reps. Jones, Adams, Barrett, Batchelder, Brinkman, Bubp, Coley, Collier, Distel, Dodd, Dolan, Evans, Fessler, Garrison, Goodwin, Hottinger, Huffman, Latta, Mandel, J. McGregor, Patton, Schindel, Schneider, Seitz, Uecker, Wachtmann, Wagoner, Widener, Wolpert, Zehringer

BILL SUMMARY

· Requires a physician to do both of the following if an obstetric ultrasound examination is performed prior to an abortion or is to be performed as part of an abortion procedure: (1) provide the woman the opportunity to view the active ultrasound image of the embryo or fetus, and (2) offer to provide the woman with a physical picture of the ultrasound image of the embryo or fetus.

· Provides that the opportunity to view an active ultrasound image must be granted without additional charge to the woman.

· Authorizes the State Medical Board to take disciplinary action against a physician who fails to comply with the bill.

CONTENT AND OPERATION

Ultrasound image and picture

(R.C. 2317.561)

The bill provides that if an obstetric ultrasound examination is performed at any time prior to the performance or inducement of an abortion or the physician performing or inducing the abortion determines that an ultrasound examination will be performed as part of the abortion procedure, the physician performing or inducing the abortion must (1) provide the woman receiving the abortion the opportunity to view the active ultrasound image of the embryo or fetus, and (2) offer to provide the woman with a physical picture of the ultrasound image of the embryo or fetus.

The bill specifies that its requirements are in addition to those in current law that must be fulfilled before an abortion is performed or induced.[1] With regard to the requirement that an opportunity to view an active ultrasound image be provided, the bill specifies that there must be no additional charge to the woman.

Physician disciplinary actions

(R.C. 4731.22)

Current law authorizes the State Medical Board, by an affirmative vote of not fewer than six members, to take disciplinary action against a physician for any of a number of reasons specified in statute. The Board may limit, revoke, or suspend a physician's certificate to practice, refuse to register a physician, refuse to reinstate a physician's certificate, or reprimand or place a physician on probation. The bill adds failure to comply with its requirements as a reason for disciplinary action against a physician.

HISTORY

ACTION	DATE
Introduced	09-18-07

H0314-I-corrected-127.doc/jc

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[1] These current law requirements specify procedures that must be followed in obtaining a woman's informed consent to an abortion (R.C. 2317.56, not in the bill).