H. B. 2970
(By Delegate Hall)
[Introduced March 10, 2005; 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 article, designated §16-2J-1, relating to
requiring Rh factor, chlamydia and gonorrhea tests for all
persons seeking to have an abortion; providing a penalty for
noncompliance.
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 article, designated §16-2J-1, to read as
follows:
ARTICLE 2J. CERTAIN HEALTH TESTS REQUIRED BEFORE ABORTIONS.
§16-2J-1. Certain health tests required before abortions.
Prior to every abortion procedure performed in West Virginia,
laboratory tests shall include a determination of the Rh factor
(including the Du variant when the patient is Rh negative) and
testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Violation of the terms of this section shall result in an
immediate closing of the facility in question for a period of at
least three years, and a fine of not less than five thousand
dollars.
Nothing in this section shall be construed or interpreted to
condone, permit, allow or endorse any abortion.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require that prior to
every abortion procedure performed in West Virginia, laboratory
tests shall include a determination of the Rh factor (including the
Du variant when the patient is Rh negative) and testing for
chlamydia and gonorrhea; providing a penalty for noncompliance.
This article is new; therefore, strike-throughs and
underscoring have been omitted.