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2015 SESSION

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HB 2321 Virginia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act; created, penalty.

Introduced by: Dave A. LaRock | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Virginia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act; penalty. Creates the Virginia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The act prohibits an abortion after 20 weeks gestation unless, in reasonable medical judgment, the mother has a condition that so complicates her medical condition as to necessitate the abortion to avert her death or to avert serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. The prohibition is predicated on legislative findings that a fetus is capable of feeling pain at 20 weeks. When an abortion is not prohibited post-20 weeks' gestation, the physician is required to terminate the pregnancy in a manner that would provide the unborn child the best opportunity to survive. The bill punishes an abortion in violation of the act as a Class 6 felony. The bill also provides for civil remedies against a physician who performs an abortion in violation of the act.


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