certification - Medical emergency exception. A. Any abortion provider who knowingly performs any abortion shall comply with the requirements of this section. B. In order for the woman to make an informed decision, at least one (1) hour prior to a woman having any part of an abortion performed or induced, and prior to the administration of any anesthesia or medication in preparation for the abortion on the woman, the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion, or the certified technician working in conjunction with the physician, shall: 1. Perform an obstetric ultrasound on the pregnant woman, using either a vaginal transducer or an abdominal transducer, whichever would display the embryo or fetus more clearly; 2. Provide a simultaneous explanation of what the ultrasound is depicting; 3. Display the ultrasound images so that the pregnant woman may view them; 4. Provide a medical description of the ultrasound images, which shall include the dimensions of the embryo or fetus, the presence of cardiac activity, if present and viewable, and the presence of external members and internal organs, if present and viewable; and 5. Obtain a written certification from the woman, prior to the abortion, that the requirements of this subsection have been complied with; and 6. Retain a copy of the written certification prescribed by paragraph 5 of this subsection. The certification shall be placed in the medical file of the woman and shall be kept by the abortion provider for a period of not less than seven (7) years. If the woman is a minor, then the certification shall be placed in the medical file of the minor and kept for at least seven (7) years or for five (5) years after the minor reaches the age of majority, whichever is greater. C. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a pregnant woman from averting her eyes from the ultrasound images required to be provided to and reviewed with her. Neither the physician nor the pregnant woman shall be subject to any penalty if she refuses to look at the presented ultrasound images. D. Upon a determination by an abortion provider that a medical emergency, as defined in Section 1 of this act, exists with respect to a pregnant woman, subsection B of this section shall not apply and the provider shall certify in writing the specific medical conditions that constitute the emergency. The certification shall be placed in the medical file of the woman and shall be kept by the abortion provider for a period of not less than seven (7) years. If the woman is a minor, then the certification shall be placed in the medical file of the minor and kept for at least seven (7) years or for five (5) years after the minor reaches the age of majority, whichever is greater. E. An abortion provider who willfully falsifies a certification under subsection D of this section shall be subject to all penalties provided for under Section 3 of this act. Added by Laws 2010, c. 173, § 2, emerg. eff. April 27, 2010. NOTE: The conditional repeal of this section by Laws 2021, c. 308, § 2, was itself repealed by Laws 2022, c. 133, § 2, emerg. eff. April 29, 2022.
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