Bill > SB309

This bill enacts the Abortion Pill Provider Liability Education (APPLE) Act, which establishes strict requirements and potential legal consequences for healthcare providers prescribing abortion-inducing drugs (specifically RU-486/mifepristone). The legislation mandates that before prescribing the drug, providers must give patients a detailed written statement informing them that they and their families may hold the provider, manufacturer, and healthcare facility financially accountable for potential complications, injuries, or death resulting from the abortion pill. Providers must obtain a written certification from the patient confirming they received and reviewed this information, and must retain this documentation for at least seven years. The bill creates a comprehensive civil liability framework allowing patients, spouses, grandparents, and next of kin to sue providers who do not comply with these requirements, with potential damages including compensation for injuries and statutory damages triple the cost of the abortion-inducing drug. Additionally, the law allows the attorney general or local prosecutors to investigate violations and impose civil penalties up to $5,000 per day, with potential additional penalties of $10,000 for knowingly violating the requirements. Notably, the bill explicitly states that the woman prescribed the abortion-inducing drug cannot be held liable under these provisions.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/sb309