SB96 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

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

Summary

SB96 would create the Abortion-Inducing Drug Safety Act, requiring in-person physician exams and adherence to FDA-approved protocols for abortion-inducing drugs, with criminal and civil penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

It requires that abortion-inducing drugs be given only after an in-person exam by a physician and following FDA labeling and dosing. It sets detailed provider requirements like giving the drug label, arranging an emergency contract with another physician, providing emergency contact information, and scheduling a follow-up visit about 14 days after administration. It requires adverse-event reporting to the FDA and the state health department within three days and imposes criminal penalties (Class A felony) for violations, while protecting pregnant women from criminal penalties. It also creates civil remedies for malpractice and wrongful death, includes privacy protections, and specifies that the act becomes effective 90 days after the governor signs; it notes an exemption from certain local-funds rules due to creating a new crime.

Who It Affects

• Pregnant women seeking abortion services would be affected because they must be examined in person by a physician before receiving an abortion-inducing drug, must receive the drug's label, have a scheduled follow-up, and have privacy protections; they would not be criminally charged if an abortion is performed, but could be involved in civil actions if providers fail to meet requirements.
• Physicians and healthcare facilities would be affected because they must follow strict in-person examination rules, provide labeling, arrange emergency coverage, document compliance, ensure follow-up, report adverse events, and could face criminal penalties (Class A felony) and civil liability for violations.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Abortion-Inducing Drug Safety Act with defined terms (e.g., abortion, abortion-inducing drug, physician, mifepristone).
• Unlawful to provide an abortion-inducing drug without an in-person physician exam and adherence to FDA-approved protocol for the drug.
• Requires in-person documentation of gestational age and intrauterine location prior to drug administration; physician must provide the drug label and ensure emergency arrangements such as a contract with a physician to handle complications and hospital privileges.
• Requires a follow-up visit around 14 days after administration to confirm termination and assess bleeding; physicians must document compliance efforts in the medical record.
• Mandates adverse-event reporting to the FDA (MedWatch) and the state health department within three days; imposes a Class A felony penalty for violators; protects the pregnant woman from criminal penalties.
• Authorizes civil remedies for malpractice, disciplinary action by the Medical Examiners Board, and wrongful-death recovery; includes privacy protections for the patient.
• Not intended to create a right to abortion; becomes effective 90 days after the governor signs; includes an exemption from certain local-funds rules because the act creates a new crime.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Abortion