Montana § 50-20-113 - Provision Of Information -- Exceptions -- Penalty

§ 50-20-113. Provision Of Information -- Exceptions -- Penalty

Provision of information -- exceptions -- penalty. (1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person performing an abortion on a pregnant woman or that person's agent shall inform the woman of the opportunity to: (i) view an active ultrasound of the unborn child; (ii) view an ultrasound image of the unborn child; and (iii) listen to the fetal heart tone of the unborn child, if audible. (b) The quality of the active ultrasound, ultrasound image, and auscultation of the fetal heart tone must be consistent with standard medical practices in the community in which the abortion is being performed. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a procedure performed with the intent to: (a) save the life of the woman; (b) ameliorate a serious risk of causing the woman substantial and irreversible impairment of a bodily function; or (c) remove an ectopic pregnancy. (3) The person performing the abortion or that person's agent shall obtain the woman's signature on a certification form developed by the department that: (a) contains an acknowledgment that the woman was informed of the opportunities provided for in subsection (1); and (b) indicates whether the woman viewed the active ultrasound or ultrasound image or listened to the fetal heart tone. (4) (a) Before an abortion is performed or attempted, the person who is performing or attempting the abortion must receive a copy of the signed certification form provided for in subsection (3). (b) A copy of the certification form must be retained in the woman's medical record. (5) A person who performs or attempts to perform an abortion in violation of this section is subject to a civil penalty of $1,000.