HB405 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Terri CollinsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Fetal Heartbeat Act, prohibits physician from performing abortion without first determining fetal heartbeat, physician who does not make determination or who performs abortion when heartbeat detected is guilty of Class C felony

Summary

HB405 would prohibit abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, require heartbeat checks and written documentation, and impose penalties on doctors who don’t follow the rules.

What This Bill Does

Makes it illegal for a physician to perform an abortion after a detectable fetal heartbeat is found and requires a heartbeat check before abortion. Defines abortion and lists exceptions (such as saving the mother's life or health, removing a dead unborn child, or delivering early to preserve health) and explains related terms. Requires written documentation of how the heartbeat was detected, when the check happened, and the results, kept for at least seven years and accessible to the patient and state regulators. Establishes criminal penalties (Class C felony) for doctors who fail to check for a heartbeat or who perform an abortion after a heartbeat is detected, and allows license revocation and other disciplinary actions; pregnant women are not prosecuted.

Who It Affects

• Pregnant women seeking abortions: their access is governed by the heartbeat rule, with certain life-saving exceptions, and they are protected from prosecution under this act.
• Physicians who perform abortions or fail to determine heartbeat: face criminal penalties (Class C felony) and may lose their medical licenses or face other disciplinary actions for violations.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits performing an abortion after a detectable fetal heartbeat is present and requires heartbeat testing before abortion.
• Defines abortion for the act and lists exceptions (to save the mother's life or health, remove a dead unborn child, or deliver early to preserve health); excludes ectopic pregnancy and lethal anomalies.
• Requires written documentation of the heartbeat-detection procedure, the date, and the results; records kept for at least seven years and available to the patient and state regulators.
• Creates penalties and license actions: a physician who fails to determine heartbeat or who performs abortion after heartbeat faces Class C felony and possible licensing action.
• Allows abortion if the heartbeat check occurs but no heartbeat is detected, or if abortion is needed to treat a life-threatening condition or major irreversible impairment; requires written justification and medical rationale.
• Notes the act interacts with Amendment 621 regarding local funds but is exempt because it defines a new crime; effective 30 days after 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