HB0239

Establishes the Reproductive Freedom Act, protecting the right to abortion prior to fetal viability or to protect the pregnant person's life or health, while prohibiting unauthorized abortions and repealing conflicting statutes.

• Declares public policy that every person has the right to freedom from governmental interference with reproductive decisions, including the right to choose or refuse birth control and abortion, and prohibits state discrimination in the regulation or provision of benefits, facilities, services or information related to these rights. (W.S. 35-6-141)
• Defines key terms including abortion, health care provider types (physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses), viability as the point when the fetus has a significant likelihood of sustained survival outside the uterus without extraordinary medical measures, and pregnancy as beginning with embryo implantation. (W.S. 35-6-142)
• Establishes that the state shall not deny or interfere with a person's right to have an abortion prior to fetal viability or to protect the pregnant person's life or health, and permits qualified health care providers to terminate pregnancies within these parameters. (W.S. 35-6-143)
• Establishes that performing or providing abortion outside the authorization of this act is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine up to $5,000, or both, but prohibits penalizing persons who aid or assist others in obtaining lawful abortions and protects the pregnant person from criminal penalty. (W.S. 35-6-144)
• Provides that the good faith judgment of a qualified health care provider regarding fetal viability or risk to the pregnant person's life or health constitutes a complete defense in any civil or criminal proceeding for violation of this act. (W.S. 35-6-145)
• Restricts state abortion regulations to those that are medically necessary to protect the pregnant person's life or health and consistent with established medical practice. (W.S. 35-6-146)
• Protects individuals and private medical facilities from being required to participate in abortion procedures if they object, and prohibits discrimination in employment or professional privileges based on participation or refusal to participate.