Relative to the collection and reporting of abortion statistics by health care providers and medical facilities.
Impact
If enacted, SB36 would significantly impact state laws concerning how health care providers manage and report data related to abortion procedures. The bill requires that reports include various demographic and clinical details while ensuring patient confidentiality through anonymity. The aggregated data will be used to generate annual reports highlighting trends in maternal health and abortion methods, thereby aiming to inform future health policy decisions.
Summary
Senate Bill 36 aims to mandate the collection and reporting of specific abortion statistics by health care providers and medical facilities in New Hampshire. This legislation seeks to replace a prior provision in the fetal life protection act that explicitly stated it should not create or recognize a right to abortion. By instituting new reporting requirements, the bill intends to gather important data related to abortion practices within the state, such as the method used, the age of patients, and their residency status at the time of the procedure.
Contention
There may be points of contention surrounding SB36, particularly regarding concerns from opponents who might view it as an infringement on personal privacy or as a method of politically motivated data collection. While the bill promotes transparency in maternal health statistics, critics may argue that the establishment of fines for noncompliance could impose unnecessary burdens on medical facilities and potentially discourage them from providing comprehensive reproductive health services. The balance between data collection for policy-making and protecting individual rights will likely be a focal point in discussions about this legislation.
Requiring health care providers to report certain information about abortions performed to their medical facility, and requiring those medical facilities to report the information to the department of health and human services.