Bill Text: MN HF2341 | 2011-2012 | 87th Legislature | Chaptered

Minnesota House Bill 2341 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Abortion; prescribing physicians required to be physically present when abortion-inducing drugs are administered.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 30-6)

Status: (Vetoed) 2012-04-30 - Governor's action Veto Chapter 252 [HF2341 Detail]

Download: Minnesota-2011-HF2341-Chaptered.html

CHAPTER 252--H.F.No. 2341

An act

relating to health; requiring a prescribing physician be physically present
when certain abortion-inducing drugs are administered; proposing coding for
new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 145.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

    Section 1. [145.4233] ABORTION REGULATION; PHYSICAL PRESENCE
OF PHYSICIAN REQUIRED.
    Subdivision 1. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given:
(1) "Abortion" means the use or prescription of any instrument, medicine, drug,
or any other substance or device to terminate the pregnancy of a woman known to be
pregnant with an intention other than to increase the probability of a live birth, to preserve
the life or health of the child after live birth, or to remove a dead unborn child who died as
the result of natural causes in utero, accidental trauma, or a criminal assault on the pregnant
woman or her unborn child, and which causes the premature termination of the pregnancy.
(2) "Attempt to perform or induce an abortion" means an act, or an omission of
a statutorily required act, that, under the circumstances as the actor believes them to
be, constitutes a substantial step in a course of conduct planned to culminate in the
performance or induction of an abortion in this state in violation of this act.
(3) "Physician" means a person licensed to practice medicine in the state pursuant
to chapter 147.
    Subd. 2. Physician's physical presence required. When RU-486 (mifepristone)
or any other drug or chemical is used for the purpose of inducing an abortion, the drug
or chemical must be administered in the same room and in the physical presence of the
physician who prescribed, dispensed, or otherwise provided the drug or chemical to the
patient. The physician inducing the abortion, or a person acting on behalf of the physician
inducing the abortion, shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure that the patient returns
12 to 18 days after the administration or use of RU-486 (mifepristone) or any other drug
or chemical for a follow-up visit so that the physician can confirm that the pregnancy has
been terminated and assess the patient's medical condition. A brief description of the
efforts made to comply with this subdivision, including the date, time, and identification by
name of the person making such efforts, shall be included in the patient's medical record.