HJR39--ABORTION
SPONSOR: Seitz
Uponvoterapproval,thisresolutionamendstheStateConstitution
byrepealingArticleI,Section36,knownas"TheRightto
ReproductiveFreedomInitiative",andrequiresaphysicianto
performafetalheartbeatdetectiontestpriortoperformingor
inducinganabortion,exceptincasesofmedicalemergency. A
physicianisprohibitedfromperformingorinducinganabortionif
afetalheartbeathasbeendetected. Thephysicianmustrecordin
thepregnantwoman'smedicalrecordtheestimatedgestationalage
oftheunbornchild,themethodusedtoestimatethegestational
age,thetestusedtodetectthefetalheartbeat,andthedate,
time,andresultsofthetest.Ifanabortionisperformedor
inducedwithoutfirstperformingthetestbecauseofamedical
emergency,thephysicianmustrecordthatinformationinthe
pregnantwoman'smedicalrecordandintheabortionreport
submittedtotheDepartmentofHealthandSeniorServices.
Theprovisionsofthisconstitutional amendmentmustbeexclusively
enforcedthroughprivatecivilaction,asdescribedinthe
amendment,andwillnotbeenforcedthroughtheState,any
politicalsubdivisionoftheState,aprosecutingorcircuit
attorney,oranexecutiveoradministrative officerofapolitical
subdivision. Anyotherpersonmaybringacivilactionagainstany
personwho:
(1)Performsorinducesanabortioninviolationofthis
amendment;
(2)Knowinglyengagesinconductthataidsorabetsinthe
performanceorinductionofanabortioninviolationofthis
amendment,includingreimbursingthecostsoftheabortionthrough
insuranceorotherwise,or
(3)Intendstoengageinanyoftheaboveconduct.
Ifaclaimantprevails,thecourtmustawardinjunctiverelief,
damagesofnotlessthan$10,000foreachabortionperformedor
inducedinviolationofthisamendment,andcostsandattorney's
fees.Acourtwillnotawardattorney'sfeestothedefendant.
Thedefendantmayclaimsomeaffirmativedefensesasspecifiedin
theamendment,butmaynotclaimignorance,thedefendant'sbelief
thatthisamendmentisunconstitutional, relianceuponoverruled
courtdecisions,consentoftheunbornchild'smother,orother
specifieddefensesintheamendment.