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 598 Original 2023 Regular Session Newell
Abstract: Amends definitions relative to the crime of abortion.
Present law provides for the crime of abortion.
Present law provides that abortion is not the removal of an ectopic pregnancy.
Proposed law retains present law and adds that removal of an ectopic pregnancy through surgery or
treatment is not an abortion.
Present law provides that treatment of an ectopic pregnancy with methotrexate is not considered an
abortion.
Proposed law removes this exception.
Present law defines "medically futile"as in reasonable medical judgment as certified by two
physicians, the unborn child has a profound and irremediable congenital or chromosomal anomaly
that is incompatible with sustaining life after birth.
Proposed law retains present law and adds to this definition or a spontaneous, profound, and
irremedial complication of the pregnancy that makes the carriage to term of the unborn child likely
due to the profound and irremediable spontaneous complication.
Proposed law adds endometrial implantation modification to the definition of "contraceptive".
(Amends R.S. 14:87.1(1)(b)(iii) and (v), (4)(c), (6) and (19)(a); Repeals 14:87.1(b)(iv))