SF 579: Prohibiting and requiring certain actions relating to abortion involving the detection of a fetal heartbeat, and including effective date provisions

What it does

This bill creates Code chapter 146E relating to a prohibition on abortions based upon the detection of a fetal heartbeat. The bill provides definitions of terms used in the Code chapter, including those for “fetal heartbeat exception”, “medical emergency”, “reasonable medical judgment”, and “unborn child”. For the purposes of Code chapter 146E, unless otherwise provided, “medical emergency” means a situation in which an abortion is performed to preserve the life of the pregnant woman whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy, but not including psychological conditions, emotional conditions, familial conditions, or the woman’s age; or when continuation of the pregnancy will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman.

Lobbying · 7 for, 10 against

For: Iowa Catholic Conference; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; Iowa Minuteman Civil Defense Corps; Protect My Innocence; Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America; The Family Leader; The Family Leader Foundation

Against: American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU-IA); American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists; Common Good Iowa; Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund; Iowa Chapter-American Academy of Pediatrics; Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Iowa Medical Society; One Iowa; One Iowa Action; Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa

In plain words

1. July 11, 2023Filed in the Senate
2. July 11, 2023Approved by the Senate committee
3. July 11, 2023Withdrawn