To prohibit certain abortions.

February 13, 2003

Mr. HOYER (for himself, Mr. GREENWOOD, Mrs. TAUSCHER, Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. BOUCHER, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. WYNN, Mr. SMITH of Washington, Ms. MCCARTHY of Missouri, Mr. KOLBE, Mr. KIND, Mr. MOORE, and Mr. SCOTT of Virginia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

To prohibit certain abortions.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Late Term Abortion Restriction Act'.

SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN ABORTIONS.

(a) IN GENERAL- It shall be unlawful, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, knowingly to perform an abortion after the fetus has become viable.

(b) EXCEPTION- This section does not prohibit any abortion if, in the medical judgment of the attending physician, the abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the woman or to avert serious adverse health consequences to the woman.

(c) CIVIL PENALTY- A physician who violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000. The civil penalty provided by this subsection is the exclusive remedy for a violation of this section.

END