Introduced Version
House Bill 2371 History
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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
H. B. 2371
(By Delegate Romine)
[Introduced February 13, 2013; referred to the
Committee on Health and Human Resources then the
Judiciary.]
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by
adding thereto a new section, designated §33-42-9, relating to
prohibiting the performance of any abortion when the woman
seeking it is doing so solely on account of the gender of the
fetus; prescribing a misdemeanor criminal penalty for
violations of the section.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended
by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-42-9, to read as
follows:
ARTICLE 42. WOMEN'S ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE ACT.
§33-42-9. Prohibition on abortions motivated by gender of fetus.
_____Prior to performing any abortion, a medical practitioner shall
take reasonable measures to determine the motivation of the woman seeking to abort her fetus. If the sole motivation for seeking to
abort the fetus is based on the woman's knowledge of the gender of
the fetus, it is unlawful to perform the abortion. Any person who
violates the requirements of this section is guilty of a
misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less
than $500 nor more than $1,000. Nothing contained in this section
may be construed or interpreted to endorse, allow, permit or
approve of any abortion.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the performance
of any abortion when the woman seeking it is doing so solely on
account of the gender of the fetus. The bill also prescribes a
criminal penalty for violations of the section.
This section is new; therefore, it has been completely
underscored.