Senate Bill 1598

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    Florida Senate - 1999                                  SB 1598

    By Senator Bronson





    18-651A-99

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to termination of pregnancies;

  3         providing a short title; amending s. 390.011,

  4         F.S.; defining terms; amending s. 390.0111,

  5         F.S.; revising provisions relating to

  6         terminations of pregnancies; prohibiting the

  7         performing or inducement of a termination of

  8         pregnancy upon a minor without specified

  9         notice; providing disciplinary action for

10         violation; prescribing notice requirements;

11         providing exceptions; prescribing procedure for

12         judicial waiver of notice; providing for notice

13         of right to counsel; providing for issuance of

14         a court order authorizing consent to a

15         termination of pregnancy without notification;

16         providing for dismissal of petitions; requiring

17         the issuance of written findings of fact and

18         legal conclusions; providing for expedited

19         appeal; providing for waiver of filing fees;

20         requesting the Supreme Court to adopt rules;

21         allowing legislative sponsors of this act to

22         intervene in certain legal actions; providing

23         for severability; providing an effective date.

24

25         WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that immature minors

26  often lack the ability to make fully informed choices that

27  take into account both immediate and long-range consequences,

28  and

29         WHEREAS, the medical, emotional, and psychological

30  consequences of abortion are sometimes serious and can be

31  lasting, particularly when the patient is immature, and

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  1         WHEREAS, the capacity to become pregnant and the

  2  capacity for mature judgment concerning the wisdom of an

  3  abortion are not necessarily related, and

  4         WHEREAS, parents ordinarily possess information

  5  essential to a physician's exercise of his or her best medical

  6  judgment concerning the child, and

  7         WHEREAS, parents who are aware that their minor

  8  daughter has had an abortion may better ensure that she

  9  receives adequate medical attention after her abortion, and

10         WHEREAS, parental consultation is usually desirable and

11  in the best interests of the minor, and

12         WHEREAS, the Legislature's purpose in enacting parental

13  notice legislation is to further the important and compelling

14  state interests of protecting minors against their own

15  immaturity, fostering family unity and preserving the family

16  as a viable social unit, protecting the constitutional rights

17  of parents to rear children who are members of their

18  household, and reducing teenage pregnancy and unnecessary

19  abortion, and

20         WHEREAS, previous legislation requiring the consent of

21  parents before a physician performed an abortion on their

22  daughter was struck down by the Florida Supreme Court on the

23  basis of the constitutional right of privacy, in the case of

24  In Re: T.W., and this legislation is designed to extend the

25  protection of the law to minor girls and their parents in

26  accordance with the State Constitution, NOW, THEREFORE,

27

28  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

29

30         Section 1.  SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the

31  "Parental Notice of Abortion Act."

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    Florida Senate - 1999                                  SB 1598
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  1         Section 2.  Section 390.011, Florida Statutes, 1998

  2  Supplement, is amended to read:

  3         390.011  Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the

  4  term:

  5         (1)  "Abortion" means the termination of human

  6  pregnancy with an intention other than to produce a live birth

  7  or to remove a dead fetus.

  8         (2)  "Abortion clinic" or "clinic" means any facility

  9  in which abortions are performed.  The term does not include:

10         (a)  A hospital; or

11         (b)  A physician's office, provided that the office is

12  not used primarily for the performance of abortions.

13         (3) "Actual notice" means notice that is given

14  directly, in person, or by telephone.

15         (4)(3)  "Agency" means the Agency for Health Care

16  Administration.

17         (5)  "Child abuse and neglect" has the meaning ascribed

18  in s. 415.503(3) and, as used in this chapter, refers to the

19  commission of acts set forth in s. 415.503(3) against a minor

20  by a family member as defined in s. 741.28(2).

21         (6)  "Constructive notice" means notice that is given

22  by certified mail to the last known address of the parent or

23  legal guardian of a minor, with delivery deemed to have

24  occurred 48 hours after the certified notice is mailed.

25         (7)(4)  "Department" means the Department of Health.

26         (8)(5)  "Hospital" means a facility licensed under

27  chapter 395.

28         (9)  "Medical emergency" means a condition that, on the

29  basis of a physician's good-faith clinical judgment, so

30  complicates the medical condition of a pregnant woman as to

31  necessitate the immediate termination of her pregnancy to

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  1  avert her death, or for which a delay in the termination of

  2  her pregnancy will create serious risk of substantial and

  3  irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.

  4         (10)(6)  "Partial-birth abortion" means a termination

  5  of pregnancy in which the physician performing the termination

  6  of pregnancy partially vaginally delivers a living fetus

  7  before killing the fetus and completing the delivery.

  8         (11)(7)  "Physician" means a physician licensed under

  9  chapter 458 or chapter 459 or a physician practicing medicine

10  or osteopathic medicine in the employment of the United

11  States.

12         (12)  "Sexual abuse" has the meaning ascribed in s.

13  415.503(15) and, as used in this chapter, refers to the

14  commission of acts set forth in s. 415.503(15) against a minor

15  by a family member as defined in s. 741.28(2).

16         (13)(8)  "Third trimester" means the weeks of pregnancy

17  after the 24th week of pregnancy.

18         Section 3.  Section 390.0111, Florida Statutes, 1998

19  Supplement, is amended to read:

20         390.0111  Termination of pregnancies.--

21         (1)  TERMINATION IN THIRD TRIMESTER; WHEN ALLOWED.--No

22  termination of pregnancy shall be performed on any human being

23  in the third trimester of pregnancy unless:

24         (a)  Two physicians certify in writing to the fact

25  that, to a reasonable degree of medical probability, the

26  termination of pregnancy is necessary to save the life or

27  preserve the health of the pregnant woman; or

28         (b)  The physician certifies in writing to the medical

29  necessity for legitimate emergency medical procedures for

30  termination of pregnancy in the third trimester, and another

31  physician is not available for consultation.

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  1         (2)  PERFORMANCE BY PHYSICIAN REQUIRED.--No termination

  2  of pregnancy shall be performed at any time except by a

  3  physician as defined in s. 390.011.

  4         (3)  CONSENTS REQUIRED.--A termination of pregnancy may

  5  not be performed or induced except with the voluntary and

  6  informed written consent of the pregnant woman or, if the

  7  woman is mentally incompetent in the case of a mental

  8  incompetent, the voluntary and informed written consent of her

  9  court-appointed guardian.

10         (a)  Except in the case of a medical emergency, consent

11  to a termination of pregnancy is voluntary and informed only

12  if:

13         1.  The physician who is to perform the procedure, or

14  the referring physician, has, at a minimum, orally, in person,

15  informed the woman of:

16         a.  The nature and risks of undergoing or not

17  undergoing the proposed procedure that a reasonable patient

18  would consider material to making a knowing and willful

19  decision of whether to terminate a pregnancy.

20         b.  The probable gestational age of the fetus at the

21  time the termination of pregnancy is to be performed.

22         c.  The medical risks to the woman and fetus of

23  carrying the pregnancy to term.

24         2.  Printed materials prepared and provided by the

25  department have been provided to the pregnant woman, if she

26  chooses to view these materials, including:

27         a.  A description of the fetus.

28         b.  A list of agencies that offer alternatives to

29  terminating the pregnancy.

30

31

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  1         c.  Detailed information on the availability of medical

  2  assistance benefits for prenatal care, childbirth, and

  3  neonatal care.

  4         3.  The woman acknowledges in writing, before the

  5  termination of pregnancy, that the information required to be

  6  provided under this subsection has been provided.

  7

  8  Nothing in This paragraph is not intended to prohibit a

  9  physician from providing any additional information that which

10  the physician deems material to the woman's informed decision

11  to terminate her pregnancy.

12         (b)  If In the event a medical emergency exists and a

13  physician cannot comply with the requirements for informed

14  consent, a physician may terminate a pregnancy if he or she

15  has obtained at least one corroborative medical opinion

16  attesting to the medical necessity for emergency medical

17  procedures and to the fact that to a reasonable degree of

18  medical certainty the continuation of the pregnancy would

19  threaten the life of the pregnant woman. If a In the event no

20  second physician is unavailable available for a corroborating

21  opinion, the physician may proceed but shall document reasons

22  for the medical necessity in the patient's medical records.

23         (c)  Violation of this subsection by a physician

24  constitutes grounds for disciplinary action under s. 458.331

25  or s. 459.015. Substantial compliance or reasonable belief

26  that compliance complying with the requirements of informed

27  consent would threaten the life or health of the patient is a

28  defense to any action brought under this paragraph.

29         (4)  NOTIFICATION REQUIRED.--

30         (a)  A termination of pregnancy may not be performed or

31  induced upon a minor unless the person performing or inducing

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  1  the termination of pregnancy has given at least 48 hours

  2  actual notice to one parent or to the legal guardian of the

  3  pregnant minor of his or her intention to perform or induce

  4  the termination of pregnancy. The notice may be given by a

  5  referring physician. The person who performs the termination

  6  of pregnancy must receive the written statement of the

  7  referring physician certifying that the referring physician

  8  has given notice. If actual notice is not possible after a

  9  reasonable effort has been made, the person or his or her

10  agent must give 48 hours' constructive notice.

11         (b)  Notice is not required if:

12         1.  A medical emergency exists and there is

13  insufficient time for the attending physician to comply with

14  the notification requirements. If a medical emergency exists,

15  the physician may terminate the pregnancy if he or she has

16  obtained at least one corroborative medical opinion attesting

17  to the medical necessity for emergency medical procedures.  If

18  a second physician is unavailable to provide a corroborating

19  opinion, the physician may proceed but must document reasons

20  for the medical necessity in the patient's medical records;

21         2.  Notice is waived in writing by the person who is

22  entitled to notice;

23         3.  Notice is waived if the minor is or has been

24  married or has had the disability of nonage removed under s.

25  743.015 or a similar statute of another state;

26         4.  Notice is waived because the patient has a minor

27  child dependent on her; or

28         5.  Notice is waived under subsection (5). 

29         (c)  Violation of this subsection by a physician

30  constitutes grounds for disciplinary action under s. 458.331

31  or s. 459.015.

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  1         (5)  PROCEDURE FOR JUDICIAL WAIVER OF NOTICE.--

  2         (a)  A minor may petition any circuit court for a

  3  waiver of the notice requirements of subsection (4) and may

  4  participate in proceedings on her own behalf. The petition

  5  must include a statement that the complainant is pregnant and

  6  notice has not been waived. The court may appoint a guardian

  7  ad litem for her. A guardian ad litem appointed under this

  8  subsection shall act to maintain the confidentiality of the

  9  proceedings. The circuit court shall advise the minor that she

10  has a right to court-appointed counsel and shall provide her

11  with counsel upon her request.

12         (b)  Court proceedings under this section must be given

13  precedence over other pending matters to the extent necessary

14  to ensure that the court reaches a decision promptly. The

15  court shall rule, and issue written findings of fact and

16  conclusions of law, within 48 hours after the petition is

17  filed, except that the 48-hour limitation may be extended at

18  the request of the minor. If the court fails to rule within

19  the 48-hour period and an extension has not been requested,

20  the petition is granted, and the notice requirement is waived.

21         (c)  If the court finds, by clear and convincing

22  evidence, that the minor is sufficiently mature to decide

23  whether to terminate her pregnancy, the court shall issue an

24  order authorizing the minor to consent to the performance or

25  inducement of a termination of pregnancy without the

26  notification of a parent or guardian. If the court does not

27  make the finding specified in this paragraph or paragraph (d),

28  it must dismiss the petition.

29         (d)  If the court finds, by clear and convincing

30  evidence, that there is evidence of child abuse or neglect or

31  sexual abuse of the complainant by one or both of her parents,

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  1  her guardian, or her custodian, or that the notification of a

  2  parent or guardian is not in the best interest of the

  3  complainant, the court shall issue an order authorizing the

  4  minor to consent to the performance or inducement of a

  5  termination of pregnancy without the notification of a parent

  6  or guardian. If the court does not make the finding specified

  7  in this paragraph or paragraph (c), it must dismiss the

  8  petition.

  9         (e)  A court that conducts proceedings under this

10  section shall provide for a written transcript of all

11  testimony and proceedings and issue written and specific

12  factual findings and legal conclusions supporting its decision

13  and shall order that a confidential record of the evidence and

14  the judge's findings and conclusions be maintained. At the

15  hearing, the court shall hear evidence relating to the

16  emotional development, maturity, intellect, and understanding

17  of the minor.

18         (f)  An expedited confidential appeal shall be

19  available, as the Supreme Court provides by rule, to any minor

20  to whom the circuit court denies a waiver of notice. An order

21  authorizing a termination of pregnancy without notice is not

22  subject to appeal.

23         (g)  Filing fees are not required of any pregnant minor

24  who petitions a court for a waiver of parental notification

25  under this subsection at either the trial or the appellate

26  level.

27

28  The requirements and procedures under this subsection are

29  available to minors whether or not they are residents of this

30  state.

31

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  1         (6)(4)  STANDARD OF MEDICAL CARE TO BE USED DURING

  2  VIABILITY.--If a termination of pregnancy is performed during

  3  viability, no person who performs or induces the termination

  4  of pregnancy shall fail to use that degree of professional

  5  skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of

  6  the fetus which such person would be required to exercise in

  7  order to preserve the life and health of any fetus intended to

  8  be born and not aborted. As used in this subsection, the term

  9  "viability" means that stage of fetal development when the

10  life of the unborn child may with a reasonable degree of

11  medical probability be continued indefinitely outside the

12  womb. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the

13  woman's life and health constitutes shall constitute an

14  overriding and superior consideration to the concern for the

15  life and health of the fetus when such concerns are in

16  conflict.

17         (7)(5)  PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION PROHIBITED; EXCEPTION.--

18         (a)  A No physician may not shall knowingly perform a

19  partial-birth abortion.

20         (b)  A woman upon whom a partial-birth abortion is

21  performed may not be prosecuted under this section for a

22  conspiracy to violate the provisions of this section.

23         (c)  This subsection does shall not apply to a

24  partial-birth abortion that is necessary to save the life of a

25  mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder,

26  illness, or injury, provided that no other medical procedure

27  would suffice for that purpose.

28         (8)(6)  EXPERIMENTATION ON FETUS PROHIBITED;

29  EXCEPTION.--A No person may not shall use any live fetus or

30  live, premature infant for any type of scientific, research,

31  laboratory, or other kind of experimentation either before or

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  1  after prior to or subsequent to any termination of pregnancy

  2  procedure except as necessary to protect or preserve the life

  3  and health of such fetus or premature infant.

  4         (9)(7)  FETAL REMAINS.--Fetal remains shall be disposed

  5  of in a sanitary and appropriate manner and in accordance with

  6  standard health practices, as provided by rule of the

  7  Department of Health.  Failure to dispose of fetal remains in

  8  accordance with department rules is a misdemeanor of the

  9  second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.

10  775.083.

11         (10)(8)  REFUSAL TO PARTICIPATE IN TERMINATION

12  PROCEDURE.--Nothing in This section does not shall require any

13  hospital or any person to participate in the termination of a

14  pregnancy, nor is shall any hospital or any person be liable

15  for such refusal.  Neither a No person who is a member of, or

16  associated with, the staff of a hospital, nor any employee of

17  a hospital or physician in which or by whom the termination of

18  a pregnancy has been authorized or performed, who shall state

19  an objection to such procedure on moral or religious grounds

20  shall be required to participate in the procedure that which

21  will result in the termination of pregnancy.  The refusal of

22  any such person or employee to participate may not constitute

23  shall not form the basis for any disciplinary or other

24  recriminatory action against the such person.

25         (11)(9)  EXCEPTION.--The provisions of This section

26  does shall not apply to the performance of a procedure that

27  which terminates a pregnancy in order to deliver a live child.

28         (12)(10)  PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION.--Except as provided

29  in subsections (3), (4), and (8)(7):

30         (a)  Any person who willfully performs, or actively

31  participates in, a termination of pregnancy procedure in

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  1  violation of the requirements of this section commits a felony

  2  of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.

  3  775.083, or s. 775.084.

  4         (b)  Any person who performs, or actively participates

  5  in, a termination of pregnancy procedure in violation of the

  6  provisions of this section which results in the death of the

  7  woman commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as

  8  provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

  9         (13)(11)  CIVIL ACTION PURSUANT TO PARTIAL-BIRTH

10  ABORTION; RELIEF.--

11         (a)  The father, if married to the mother at the time

12  she receives a partial-birth abortion, and, if the mother has

13  not attained the age of 18 years at the time she receives a

14  partial-birth abortion, the maternal grandparents of the fetus

15  may, in a civil action, obtain appropriate relief, unless the

16  pregnancy resulted from the plaintiff's criminal conduct or

17  the plaintiff consented to the abortion.

18         (b)  In a civil action under this section, appropriate

19  relief includes:

20         1.  Monetary damages for all injuries, psychological

21  and physical, occasioned by the violation of subsection (5).

22         2.  Damages equal to three times the cost of the

23  partial-birth abortion.

24         (14)  PROCEEDINGS.--The Supreme Court is requested to

25  adopt rules to ensure that proceedings under this section are

26  handled expeditiously and in a manner that will satisfy the

27  requirements of state and federal courts.

28         Section 4.  Any member of the Legislature of the State

29  of Florida who sponsored or cosponsored this act has the right

30  to intervene in any legal action challenging the

31  constitutionality of this act.

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  1         Section 5.  If any provision of this act or the

  2  application thereof to any person or circumstance is held

  3  invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or

  4  applications of the act which can be given effect without the

  5  invalid provision or application, and to this end the

  6  provisions of this act are declared severable.

  7         Section 6.  This act shall take effect July 1, 1999.

  8

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10                          SENATE SUMMARY

11    Creates the "Parental Notice of Abortion Act." Revises
      provisions relating to terminating pregnancies. Prohibits
12    performing or inducing a termination of pregnancy upon a
      minor without giving specified notice. Provides for
13    disciplinary action for violations. Provides notice
      requirements. Provides exceptions. Provides a procedure
14    for the judicial waiver of notice. Provides for notice of
      right to counsel. Provides for the issuance of a court
15    order authorizing consent to a termination of pregnancy
      without notification. Provides for the dismissal of a
16    petition. Requires the issuance of written findings of
      fact and legal conclusions. Provides for expedited
17    appeal. Provides for waiving filing fees. Requests the
      Supreme Court to adopt rules. Allows legislative sponsors
18    or cosponsors of this act to intervene in any legal
      action challenging the constitutionality of the act.
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