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HR 492 114th Congress House Health Abortion Civil actions and liability Health information and medical records Medical ethics Medical tests and diagnostic methods Sex and reproductive health Women's health

Ultrasound Informed Consent Act

Introduced: January 22, 2015 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 23, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jan 22, 2015
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 22, 2015
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Ultrasound Informed Consent Act

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.

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.

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.

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.

What's happening now January 23, 2015

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2