DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 386 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Hoffmann
Abstract: With limited exceptions, extends the mandatory waiting period between certain required
pre-abortion procedures and the performance of an abortion from 24 hours to 72 hours.
Present law requires that at least 24 hours prior to an elective abortion being performed or induced,
all of the following shall occur in order for a physician to perform an elective abortion procedure
legally, and for consent by the woman to the abortion procedure to be deemed voluntary and
informed:
(1)Performance of an obstetric ultrasound on the woman that conforms with all specifications
for the procedure provided in present law (R.S. 40:1061.10).
(2)Provision of information to the woman on psychological impacts of abortion, illegal
coercion, abuse, and human trafficking in accordance with present law (R.S. 40:1061.16).
(3)Provision of oral information, printed materials, and completion of certification functions in
accordance with all specifications of present law known as the Woman's Right To Know law
(R.S. 40:1061.17).
Proposed law extends the time period in which the pre-abortion functions required by present law
are to occur from at least 24 hours prior to the abortion to at least 72 hours prior to the abortion,
except in the case of a woman who certifies that she currently lives 150 miles or more from the
nearest licensed outpatient abortion facility to her residence. In such cases, proposed law retains the
24-hour period provided in present law for the required pre-abortion functions to occur.
(Amends R.S. 40:1061.10(D)(2), 1061.16(B), 1061.17(B)(3), (4)(b), (5), (6), and (8), and
1061.18(D))