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

This bill would require abortion providers to give women specific information about their abortion procedure and the development of the fetus at least 24 hours before performing an abortion. Before the procedure can happen, a woman would need to sign a form in person that includes details about how far along the pregnancy is (measured in days), the medical risks of the specific abortion method being used, and information about fetal development at that stage—such as whether a heartbeat is present, whether the fetus can react to pain, and what organs or features have developed. A doctor and a witness would also need to sign this form, and it would be kept in the patient's medical records.

The bill includes some exceptions. If a doctor believes that waiting 24 hours would create a serious risk to the woman's life or cause substantial, permanent physical harm to her body, they wouldn't have to follow these requirements. However, psychological or emotional concerns wouldn't qualify as reasons to skip the waiting period. The bill specifically states that women themselves cannot be punished for violations—only the abortion providers can face penalties.

If an abortion provider breaks these rules, the federal government can sue them for civil penalties ranging from $100,000 to $150,000 for a first violation, and $150,001 to $250,000 for any violations after that. Additionally, women (or parents of minors) could sue the provider themselves and potentially recover money for physical and psychological injuries, three times the cost of the abortion, punitive damages, and attorney's fees. The bill also allows states to create even stricter requirements than what this federal law sets, but doesn't prevent them from doing so.

Woman’s Right To Know Act

McClain, Lisa C.

Woman's Right To Know Act This bill specifies requirements for&nbsp;informed consent that health care providers must obtain before performing an abortion procedure. Providers must present a woman seeking an abortion with an authorization form at least 24 hours before performing the procedure. The form must (1) include specified information concerning gestational age, associated developmental characteristics,&nbsp;and medical risks; (2) disclose penalties&nbsp;that&nbsp;providers may face for failing to obtain the requisite informed consent; and (3) 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. Providers do not&nbsp;have to obtain such consent if, in reasonable medical judgment, obtaining it 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.