Bill Summaries: S604 (2015-2016 Session)

Tracking:
  • Summary date: Mar 30 2015 - View summary

    Amends GS 14-45.1 adding new provisions to the section titled When abortion not unlawful, providing that the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) must inspect annually any clinic certified by DHHS to perform abortions. Prohibits any such certified clinics from employing anyone under the age of 18. Requires a written agreement between such clinics and a hospital for the transfer of patients who are in the need of emergency care. 

    Requires specified records to be kept by physicians who advise, procure, or cause a miscarriage or abortion after the 16th week of a woman's pregnancy, including the method used by the physician to determine the gestational age of the unborn child at the time the procedure is to be performed as well as certain ultrasound images. Provides that physicians that procure or cause a miscarriage or abortion after the 20th week of a pregnancy must record the findings and analysis on which the physician based the determination that continuance of the pregnancy would threaten the life or gravely impair the health of the woman. Provides that any information submitted to the DHHS in accordance with the above provisions are to be used for statistical purposes only, protecting the confidentiality of the patient. Makes technical and conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2016, applying to abortions performed or attempted on or after that date.

    Appropriates from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors $500,000 for the 2015-16 fiscal year for the planning and implementation of a perinatal resource care program at UNC Hospitals to develop a state-of-the-art perinatal resource center to serve families with complications detected by prenatal diagnosis. Effective July 1, 2015.

    Amends GS 15A-1340.16 to add to the list of aggravating factors that can be considered in determining whether to impose an aggravated sentence, providing that it is an aggravating factor when a defendant commits a violent offense and knows or reasonably should know that a person under the age of 18 who was not involved in the commission of the offense was in a position to see or hear the offense. Effective December 1, 2015, applying to offenses committed on or after that date.

    Includes severability provisions.