Pennsylvania HB 1844: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in abortion, further providing for definitions and for medical consultation and judgment.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2280
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1844
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY M. BROWN, KAUFFMAN AND BERNSTINE,
SEPTEMBER 4, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in abortion, further providing for
definitions and for medical consultation and judgment.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 3203 of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding definitions to read:
§ 3203. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the
meanings given to them in this section:
* * *
"Abortion drug." A medicine, drug or other substance, or
combination thereof, used to terminate the clinically
diagnosable pregnancy of a woman.
* * *
"Catch kit." A collection container designed to catch and
hold medical waste or infectious waste, including a container
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used for collecting a sample for testing.
"Chemical abortion." An abortion through the use of an
abortion drug.
* * *
"Medical waste bag." A receptacle made to contain medical or
biohazardous waste.
* * *
Section 2. Section 3204(c) of Title 18 is amended and the
section is amended by adding subsections to read:
§ 3204. Medical consultation and judgment.
* * *
(b.1) Requirements for chemical abortion.--
(1) A physician may not knowingly provide or attempt to
provide a chemical abortion unless the physician:
(i) Physically examines the woman in person and not
through the use of virtual technology.
(ii) Is physically present with the woman at a
hospital or ambulatory surgical treatment center when the
woman ingests the first abortion drug or drugs necessary
for a chemical abortion.
(iii) Schedules a follow-up visit for the woman that
occurs not later than seven days after the administration
or use of the first abortion drug or drugs in order to
assess the woman's condition.
(iv) Provides a catch kit and medical waste bag to
the woman to be used for disposal of fetal remains,
including instructions for the woman on how to use the
catch kit and to bring the catch kit and medical waste
bag to the physician or a qualified person designated by
the physician for proper disposal and for required
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pathological examinations, if applicable, under section
3214(c) (relating to reporting).
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to action by a
physician or other health care practitioner to treat a
diagnosed ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.
(b.2) Medical waste bags.--A medical waste bag provided to a
woman seeking a chemical abortion shall:
(1) Contain warning labels that state "biohazard" and
the universal biological hazard symbol.
(2) Be a color to signify that it contains biohazardous
waste with lettering and symbols in a contrasting color.
(c) Factors.--In determining in accordance with subsection
(a) [or], (b) or (b.1) whether an abortion is necessary, a
physician's best clinical judgment may be exercised in the light
of all factors (physical, emotional, psychological, familial and
the woman's age) relevant to the well-being of the woman. No
abortion which is sought solely because of the sex of the unborn
child shall be deemed a necessary abortion.
* * *
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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