Louisiana § RS 40:1061.11.1 - Chemically induced abortion; required disclosure

§ RS 40:1061.11.1. Chemically induced abortion; required disclosure

            A. When mifepristone is administered, dispensed, or otherwise provided to a pregnant woman by a physician or any person acting under the physician's direction, whether in a licensed outpatient abortion facility, private medical office, or any other facility, then the physician or the person acting under the physician's direction shall provide the disclosure statement found in Subsection B of this Section to the pregnant woman. The disclosure statement may be provided by doing any of the following:

            (1) Stapling the disclosure statement to a bag, envelope, or other package that contains misoprostol for the pregnant woman to self-administer at home.

            (2) Attaching the disclosure statement to a written prescription for misoprostol provided by the physician or the person acting under the physician's direction.

            (3) Attaching the disclosure statement to the patient's discharge instructions if the prescription for misoprostol is sent directly to a pharmacy.

            B. The disclosure statement required by this Section shall contain all of the following text:

"PLEASE READ BEFORE TAKING SECOND PILL

Research has indicated that the first pill provided, identified as mifepristone, is not always effective in ending a pregnancy. If after taking the first pill you regret your decision, please consult a physician or healthcare provider immediately to determine if there are options available to assist you in continuing your pregnancy."

            C.(1) Nothing in this Section shall be construed as creating or recognizing a right to abortion.

            (2) Nothing in this Section shall be construed as requiring the disclosure statement to be provided to a woman facing a spontaneous miscarriage as defined in R.S. 14:87.1(1)(b)(ii).

            (3) Nothing in this Section shall be construed as requiring a pharmacy or any entity other than the facility where the abortion is administered to provide the disclosure statement.

            D. As used in this Section, the following terms have the meanings ascribed to them:

            (1) "Abortion pill" means the use of mifepristone or misoprostol to induce a chemical abortion.

            (2) "Mifepristone" means a synthetic steroid that inhibits the action of progesterone, given orally in early pregnancy to induce a chemical abortion. Mifepristone is the first drug used in a two-drug process to induce a chemical abortion.

            (3) "Misoprostol" means a synthetic prostaglandin E₁ analogue that is used to induce a chemical abortion. Misoprostol is the second drug used in a two-drug process to induce a chemical abortion.

            E. The provisions of R.S. 40:1061.1 shall apply to this Section.

            Acts 2021, No. 483, §1; Acts 2022, No. 545, §3.