HB418 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Hill

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Allen FarleyMark TuggleKurt WallaceMac ButtramWes LongBarry MooreApril WeaverLynn GreerTerri CollinsKerry RichMary Sue McClurkinMicky HammonHoward SanderfordRandy WoodJack WilliamsDavid Sessions

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Abortion, physician required to perform ultrasound prior to performing abortionand display the images to the pregnant woman, medical emergency excepted, civil and criminal penalties, Right to Know and See Act

Summary

HB418 would require ultrasound before abortion, force doctors to show and explain the images to the patient, add penalties and civil remedies for violations, and protect patient anonymity in court.

What This Bill Does

The bill requires a physician or qualified technician to perform an obstetric ultrasound, verbally explain what is shown, and display the ultrasound images to the pregnant woman before an abortion (with an exception for medical emergencies). It establishes criminal penalties for violations and allows civil damages claimed by the father or grandparents, as well as attorney’s fees. It also provides anonymity protections for women in court proceedings related to the abortion, and creates definitions for key terms. The bill includes a local-funding provision stating it would not require local government approval because it creates a new crime, and it becomes law after a defined effective date.

Who It Affects

• Pregnant women seeking abortions: would receive an ultrasound, a verbal explanation, and the opportunity to view the images; can opt not to view without penalty; have anonymity protections in court.
• Abortion providers and medical staff (physicians and qualified technicians): must perform the ultrasound, provide explanations, display images, and may face criminal penalties if they fail to comply; must certify medical emergencies when applicable.
• Fathers of the unborn child and grandparents: may sue the abortion provider for actual and punitive damages for violations of the act.
• Courts and public proceedings: must determine and enforce anonymity protections for women when required.

Key Provisions

• Section requiring obstetric ultrasound before abortion, with simultaneous verbal explanation, display of images to the patient, and a medical description of the ultrasound findings.
• Medical emergency exception: if a true medical emergency exists, the requirements do not apply; providers must certify the emergency and face penalties for falsification.
• Criminal penalties: knowingly or recklessly performing or attempting an abortion in violation of the act is a Class C felony; the female patient is not penalized.
• Civil remedies: fathers or grandparents may sue for damages; court may award attorney’s fees to the prevailing party; potential punitive damages in certain cases.
• Anonymity in proceedings: courts may preserve the patient’s anonymity, allow pseudonyms for plaintiffs, and seal records when necessary to protect identity.
• Definitions: clarifies terms such as abortion, qualified technician, unborn child, and woman.
• Local funds provision: the bill is treated as creating a new crime, allowing it to bypass certain local-funding approval requirements.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

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