Bill > HB46

This bill modifies Alabama's abortion laws by expanding the conditions under which abortions are legally permitted and introducing new financial and medical requirements for fathers. Specifically, the bill allows abortions to preserve the mother's health and in cases of rape or incest, with new provisions requiring men convicted of rape or incest to pay for all medical expenses related to the pregnancy and abortion and to undergo a vasectomy or castration. Additionally, the bill creates a legal mechanism for mothers who require an abortion to preserve their health to petition the circuit court to require the father of the unborn child to pay for medical expenses. Interestingly, the bill provides a way for fathers to be excused from paying these expenses if they voluntarily undergo a vasectomy. The legislation also specifies precise definitions for terms like "medical emergency" and "unborn child" and mandates that court proceedings related to these matters must be resolved within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays). The bill is set to become effective on October 1, 2026, giving significant time for preparation and implementation.

Health and Social Services

https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/bill-search