Bill > SB213

This bill establishes a comprehensive legal framework to protect infants born alive during or after an attempted abortion, requiring healthcare providers to provide medically appropriate and reasonable life-saving and life-sustaining medical care to such infants. The bill defines "born alive" as a viable infant showing evidence of life such as breathing, heartbeat, or voluntary muscle movement, and mandates that any such infant be treated as a legal person with full rights to medical care. Healthcare providers who intentionally kill an infant born alive could be charged with second-degree murder, while those who recklessly fail to provide appropriate care and cause the infant's death could be charged with manslaughter. The legislation also includes provisions for civil actions, allowing the woman upon whom the abortion was performed to seek damages if healthcare providers violate the care requirements. Additionally, the bill establishes professional disciplinary actions for medical personnel who fail to comply, including potential suspension or revocation of medical licenses. Importantly, the bill explicitly states that it does not restrict a woman's right to obtain an abortion or interfere with existing abortion laws, but focuses specifically on protecting infants who are born alive during or after an abortion attempt.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=213&year=2025