2020 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 22: HEALTH AND WELFARE
Subtitle 2: HEALTH
Part 3: PUBLIC HEALTH
Chapter 263-B: ABORTIONS
22 §1599-A. Informed consent to abortion

§1599-A. Informed consent to abortion

1.  Consent by the woman.  A health care professional, as defined in section 1596, subsection 1, paragraph C, may not perform an abortion unless, prior to the performance, the health care professional certifies in writing that the woman gave her informed written consent, freely and without coercion.  

[PL 2019, c. 262, §6 (AMD).]

2.  Informed consent.  To ensure that the consent for an abortion is truly informed consent, the health care professional, as defined in section 1596, subsection 1, paragraph C, shall inform the woman, in a manner that in the health care professional's professional judgment is not misleading and that will be understood by the patient, of at least the following:  

A. According to the health care professional's best judgment she is pregnant;   [PL 2019, c. 262, §6 (AMD).]

B. The number of weeks elapsed from the probable time of the conception;   [PL 1993, c. 61, §4 (NEW).]

C. The particular risks associated with her own pregnancy and the abortion technique to be performed; and   [PL 1993, c. 61, §4 (NEW).]

D. At the woman's request, alternatives to abortion such as childbirth and adoption and information concerning public and private agencies that will provide the woman with economic and other assistance to carry the fetus to term, including, if the woman so requests, a list of these agencies and the services available from each.   [PL 1993, c. 61, §4 (NEW).]

[PL 2019, c. 262, §6 (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1993, c. 61, §4 (NEW). PL 2019, c. 262, §6 (AMD).