2021 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
Title 40 - Public Health and Safety
§1061.1.2. Abortion based on genetic abnormality; prohibition
RS 1061.1.2 - Abortion based on genetic abnormality; prohibition
A. As used in this Section, the following terms have the meaning ascribed in this Subsection:
(1)(a) "Abortion" shall have the meaning provided in R.S. 40:1061.9.
(b)(i) For purposes of this Section, "abortion" shall not include an abortion performed when the pregnancy is diagnosed as medically futile.
(ii) For purposes of this Subparagraph, "medically futile" means that, in reasonable medical judgement, the unborn child has a profound and irremediable congenital or chromosomal anomaly that is incompatible with sustaining life after birth. This diagnosis shall be a medical judgment certified in the pregnant woman's medical record by a reasonably prudent physician who is knowledgeable about the case and the treatment possibilities with respect to the medical conditions involved.
(2) "Diagnosed" means a determination made by a physician based on the results obtained from any genetic screening or prenatal testing procedure to detect a genetic abnormality.
(3) "Genetic abnormality" means any defect, disease, or disorder that is inherited genetically. The term includes, without limitation, any physical disfigurement, scoliosis, dwarfism, Down syndrome, albinism, amelia, and any other type of physical, mental, or intellectual disability, abnormality, or disease.
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally perform or attempt to perform an abortion of an unborn child of twenty or more weeks post-fertilization age, as provided for in R.S. 40:1061.1, with knowledge that the pregnant woman is seeking the abortion solely because the unborn child has been diagnosed with either a genetic abnormality or a potential for a genetic abnormality.
C.(1) It shall be unlawful for a person to intentionally perform or attempt to perform an abortion of an unborn child of less than twenty weeks post-fertilization age without first providing the pregnant woman with an informational document including resources, programs, and services for pregnant women who have a diagnosis of fetal genetic abnormality and resources, programs, and services for infants and children born with disabilities. The informational document provided for in this Subsection shall be given to the pregnant woman at the same time as the requirements in R.S. 40:1061.17(B).
(2) The Louisiana Department of Health shall develop an informational document to comply with the mandate established in this Section to include resources, programs, and services for pregnant women who have a diagnosis of fetal genetic abnormality and resources, programs, and services for infants and children born with disabilities and shall make such information available to any requesting provider of women's health care services and shall maintain the information on a link on the department's website.
(3) No person shall be found in violation of this Subsection, and no penalty for a violation of this Subsection shall be assessed, in any instance in which the informational document required by this Subsection is not available for use.
D. Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be subject to the penalties provided in R.S. 40:1061.29.
E. The provisions of this Section shall not apply whenever the abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother.
Acts 2016, No. 563, §1, eff. June 17, 2016; Acts 2018, No. 77, §1, eff. May 10, 2018.
