# Woman's Right To Know Act: What This Bill Does

This bill would require abortion providers to follow specific procedures before performing an abortion. The main requirement is that doctors must perform an ultrasound and show the results to the woman, then give her a detailed written form at least 24 hours before the procedure. The form must include information about the pregnancy's gestational age in days, all medical risks associated with the specific abortion method being used, and descriptions of fetal development at that stage—including details about heartbeat, pain response, and organ development. The woman, the doctor, and a witness must all sign this form, which then gets kept in her medical records.

The bill applies to any abortion provider who operates across state lines or in interstate commerce. There's an exception if a doctor reasonably believes that following these requirements would create a serious risk of death or substantial physical harm to the pregnant woman—in those emergency situations, the requirements don't apply. The bill also clarifies that pregnant women themselves cannot be penalized under this law.

If an abortion provider violates these requirements, the federal Attorney General can sue them for civil penalties ranging from $100,000 to $150,000 for a first violation, and up to $250,000 for subsequent violations. Additionally, the woman (or her parent if she's a minor) could sue the provider directly for damages including actual injuries, three times the cost of the abortion, and punitive damages. The bill also allows states to impose even stricter requirements than what's in this federal law if they choose to do so.

Woman’s Right To Know Act

Miller, Mary E.

Woman's Right To Know Act This bill requires health care providers to perform an ultrasound and obtain certain informed consent before performing an abortion procedure. Specifically, before performing an abortion, providers must first perform an ultrasound and share the results with the woman, and also present the woman with an authorization form at least 24 hours before performing the abortion procedure. The form must (1) include specified information concerning gestational age, associated developmental characteristics,&nbsp;and medical risks; (2) include a statement that an ultrasound has been performed and the results were shared with the woman; (3) disclose penalties&nbsp;that&nbsp;providers may face for failing to comply with the bill's requirements; and (4) include an affirmation that the individual signing the form understands the information. The form must be signed and witnessed in person and retained in the medical file. The bill's requirements do not apply if, in reasonable medical judgment, compliance would pose a greater risk of death or substantial physical impairment of a major bodily function, excluding psychological or emotional conditions, of the pregnant woman. The bill also establishes civil penalties for providers who do not comply with these requirements.