HB 1844 — An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in abortion, further providing for definitions and for medical consultation and judgment.

PRINTER'S NO.    2280

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1844
                                                  Session of
                                                    2025

     INTRODUCED BY M. BROWN, KAUFFMAN AND BERNSTINE,
        SEPTEMBER 4, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, SEPTEMBER 9, 2025


                                       AN ACT
 1   Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
 2      Consolidated Statutes, in abortion, further providing for
 3      definitions and for medical consultation and judgment.
 4      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 5   hereby enacts as follows:
 6      Section 1.    Section 3203 of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
 7   Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding definitions to read:
 8   § 3203.    Definitions.
 9      The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
10   shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the
11   meanings given to them in this section:
12      * * *
13      "Abortion drug."       A medicine, drug or other substance, or
14   combination thereof, used to terminate the clinically
15   diagnosable pregnancy of a woman.
16      * * *
17      "Catch kit."    A collection container designed to catch and
18   hold medical waste or infectious waste, including a container
 1   used for collecting a sample for testing.
 2      "Chemical abortion."        An abortion through the use of an
 3   abortion drug.
 4      * * *
 5      "Medical waste bag."        A receptacle made to contain medical or
 6   biohazardous waste.
 7      * * *
 8      Section 2.         Section 3204(c) of Title 18 is amended and the
 9   section is amended by adding subsections to read:
10   § 3204.    Medical consultation and judgment.
11      * * *
12      (b.1)    Requirements for chemical abortion.--
13             (1)   A physician may not knowingly provide or attempt to
14      provide a chemical abortion unless the physician:
15                   (i)    Physically examines the woman in person and not
16             through the use of virtual technology.
17                   (ii)    Is physically present with the woman at a
18             hospital or ambulatory surgical treatment center when the
19             woman ingests the first abortion drug or drugs necessary
20             for a chemical abortion.
21                   (iii)    Schedules a follow-up visit for the woman that
22             occurs not later than seven days after the administration
23             or use of the first abortion drug or drugs in order to
24             assess the woman's condition.
25                   (iv)    Provides a catch kit and medical waste bag to
26             the woman to be used for disposal of fetal remains,
27             including instructions for the woman on how to use the
28             catch kit and to bring the catch kit and medical waste
29             bag to the physician or a qualified person designated by
30             the physician for proper disposal and for required

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 1            pathological examinations, if applicable, under section
 2            3214(c) (relating to reporting).
 3            (2)   Paragraph (1) shall not apply to action by a
 4      physician or other health care practitioner to treat a
 5      diagnosed ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.
 6      (b.2)   Medical waste bags.--A medical waste bag provided to a
 7   woman seeking a chemical abortion shall:
 8            (1)   Contain warning labels that state "biohazard" and
 9      the universal biological hazard symbol.
10            (2)   Be a color to signify that it contains biohazardous
11      waste with lettering and symbols in a contrasting color.
12      (c)   Factors.--In determining in accordance with subsection
13   (a) [or], (b) or (b.1) whether an abortion is necessary, a
14   physician's best clinical judgment may be exercised in the light
15   of all factors (physical, emotional, psychological, familial and
16   the woman's age) relevant to the well-being of the woman. No
17   abortion which is sought solely because of the sex of the unborn
18   child shall be deemed a necessary abortion.
19      * * *
20      Section 3.    This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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