Bill > H5296

This bill establishes the "Born-Alive Infant Protection Act" in Rhode Island, which mandates specific medical care and legal protections for infants who survive an abortion procedure. The legislation defines a "born-alive" infant as a newborn showing signs of life, such as breathing, heartbeat, or muscle movement, and requires physicians and healthcare providers to provide medically appropriate care to such infants, regardless of the circumstances of their birth. The bill imposes severe criminal penalties for medical personnel who fail to provide care, including potential felony charges with up to ten years imprisonment and/or a $25,000 fine. Additionally, the law creates grounds for civil action, allowing parents to seek compensatory and punitive damages, and mandates an automatic one-year professional license suspension for any healthcare provider convicted of violating the act's provisions. The bill emphasizes that a born-alive infant is considered a legal person with full rights, and healthcare providers must take specific steps to ensure the infant's survival, such as providing immediate medical care, calling emergency services if necessary, and transferring the infant to appropriate medical care. The legislation also includes provisions preventing the use of born-alive infants in scientific research and allowing infants to become wards of the state if parents do not wish to keep them. Importantly, the bill explicitly states that it does not alter existing abortion laws or create new abortion rights.

Justice

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