HB573 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Terri CollinsRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Ed HenryWes LongRichard BaughnBecky NordgrenKen Johnson

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Abortion, physician guidelines prior to administering an abortion-inducing drug, civil and criminal penalties, Abortion-Inducing Drug Safety Act

Summary

HB573 would establish the Abortion-Inducing Drug Safety Act to regulate abortion-inducing drugs with in-person physician exams, strict protocols, and penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

It would require an in-person physician examination before administering any abortion-inducing drug and require adherence to FDA-approved protocols for drugs like mifepristone, including a follow-up visit around 14 days after treatment. It would impose specific physician duties, such as providing the drug label, arranging a contract with another physician to handle complications, sharing emergency contact information, and documenting gestational age and location. It would require reporting any adverse events to the FDA and the state health department within three days. It would create criminal penalties for violations, allow civil lawsuits and disciplinary actions, and state that the pregnant woman cannot be criminally charged; it also notes local funding implications under Amendment 621 and sets an effective date after governor signing.

Who It Affects

• Pregnant women seeking or undergoing abortion: must be examined in person by a physician, receive follow-up care, and have specified safety and privacy protections; no criminal penalties applied to the women.
• Physicians and medical facilities: must follow strict in-person examination rules, adhere to FDA protocols, provide labels and emergency arrangements, document care, report adverse events, and could face criminal and civil penalties for noncompliance.

Key Provisions

• Requires an in-person physician examination prior to giving any abortion-inducing drug and documents gestational age/location before treatment.
• Defines abortion-inducing drugs (including off-label uses) and requires compliance with FDA-approved drug labels and protocols (e.g., mifepristone regimen).
• Sets follow-up requirements (approximately 14 days after administration), documentation, and efforts to ensure patient return for care.
• Mandates consequences for providers who violate the act, including Class A felony penalties, civil malpractice actions, disciplinary actions, and wrongful death remedies; protects the pregnant woman from criminal liability.
• Requires adverse event reporting within three days to the FDA MedWatch system and the Department of Public Health.
• Includes provisions about local government funding under Amendment 621 and states the act becomes effective 90 days after the governor signs.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Abortion