HB21 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Terri CollinsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

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

HB21 would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, require heartbeat checks before abortion, and impose criminal and licensing penalties on doctors who do not comply.

What This Bill Does

It defines abortion for this act and lists exceptions (eg, ectopic pregnancy and certain fetal conditions). It requires a physician to determine if a detectable heartbeat exists before performing an abortion and to perform that check using standard medical care. It prohibits abortions after a heartbeat is detected, with certain emergency or health-based exceptions, and requires written documentation of the heartbeat test and results kept for at least seven years. It imposes penalties on doctors for noncompliance (Class C felony for failing to detect heartbeat or aborting after heartbeat) and license discipline, while protecting the pregnant woman from prosecution; the bill also notes a local-funds exemption related to its creation of a new crime.

Who It Affects

• Pregnant women seeking abortions: could be restricted after a fetal heartbeat is detected, with defined exceptions and required documentation.
• Physicians and abortion providers: must test for heartbeat, document procedures, and could face criminal charges or license loss for noncompliance.

Key Provisions

• Defines abortion for the act and lists exceptions (ectopic pregnancy, lethal anomaly, life or health of the mother, and related conditions).
• Requres a physician to determine a detectable heartbeat before performing an abortion and to use the applicable medical standard of care; an abortion cannot be performed after a heartbeat is detected (with specified emergency/health exceptions).
• Requires written documentation of the heartbeat testing procedure and results, with records kept for at least seven years and accessible to the patient and state regulators.
• Imposes penalties and disciplinary actions on physicians who do not comply (Class C felony for failure to perform heartbeat testing or abortion after heartbeat; license revocation and additional disciplinary measures); the act specifies that the pregnant woman is not prosecuted; includes a local-funds expenditure exemption due to creating a new crime.

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