§ 19a-601 — Information and counseling for minors required. Medical emergency exception.

(a) Prior to the performance of an abortion upon a minor, a physician or counselor shall provide pregnancy information and counseling in accordance with this section in a manner and language that will be understood by the minor. The physician or counselor shall: (1) Explain that the information being given to the minor is being given objectively and is not intended to coerce, persuade or induce the minor to choose to have an abortion or to carry the pregnancy to term; (2) Explain that the minor may withdraw a decision to have an abortion at any time before the abortion is performed or may reconsider a decision not to have an abortion at any time within the time period during which an abortion may legally be performed; (3) Explain to the minor the alternative choices available for managing the pregnancy, including: (A) Carrying the pregnancy to term and keeping the child, (B) carrying the pregnancy to term and placing the child for adoption, placing the child with a relative or obtaining voluntary foster care for the child, and (C) having an abortion, and explain that public and private agencies are available to assist the minor with whichever alternative she chooses and that a list of these agencies and the services available from each will be provided if the minor requests; (4) Explain that public and private agencies are available to provide birth control information and that a list of these agencies and the services available from each will be provided if the minor requests; (5) Discuss the possibility of involving the minor's parents, guardian or other adult family members in the minor's decision-making concerning the pregnancy and whether the minor believes that involvement would be in the minor's best interests; and (6) Provide adequate opportunity for the minor to ask any questions concerning the pregnancy, abortion, child care and adoption, and provide information the minor seeks or, if the person cannot provide the information, indicate where the minor can receive the information. (b) After the person provides the information and counseling to a minor as required by this section, such person shall have the minor sign and date a form stating that: (1) The minor has received information on alternatives to abortion and that there are agencies that will provide assistance and that a list of these agencies and the services available from each will be provided if the minor requests; (2) The minor has received an explanation that the minor may withdraw an abortion decision or reconsider a decision to carry a pregnancy to term; (3) The alternatives available for managing the pregnancy have been explained to the minor; (4) The minor has received an explanation about agencies available to provide birth control information and that a list of these agencies and the services available from each will be provided if the minor requests; (5) The minor has discussed with the person providing the information and counseling the possibility of involving the minor's parents, guardian or other adult family members in the minor's decision-making about the pregnancy; (6) If applicable, the minor has determined that not involving the minor's parents, guardian or other adult family members is in the minor's best interests; and (7) The minor has been given an adequate opportunity to ask questions. (c) The person providing the information and counseling shall also sign and date the form and shall include such person's business address and business telephone number. The person shall keep a copy for such minor's medical record and shall give the form to the minor or, if the minor requests and if such person is not the attending physician, transmit the form to the minor's attending physician. Such medical record shall be maintained as otherwise provided by law. (d) The provision of pregnancy information and counseling by a physician or counselor which is evidenced in writing containing the information and statements provided in this section and which is signed by the minor shall be presumed to be evidence of compliance with the requirements of this section. (e) The requirements of this section shall not apply when, in the best medical judgment of the physician based on the facts of the case before him, a medical emergency exists that so complicates the pregnancy or the health, safety or well-being of the minor as to require an immediate abortion. A physician who does not comply with the requirements of this section by reason of this exception shall state in the medical record of the abortion the medical indications on which his judgment was based.

Legislative History

(P.A. 90-113, S. 2.) Cited. 24 CA 541.