SB274: Bill Text

SB274,12,8 3. The information that is required under subds. 1. and 2. is provided to the woman in an individual setting that protects her privacy, maintains the confidentiality of her decision and ensures that the information she receives focuses on her individual circumstances. This subdivision may not be construed to prevent the woman from having a family member, or any other person of her choice, present during her private counseling.

SB274,12,14 4. The physician who is to perform or induce the abortion and, if the qualified person assisting the physician provides information under subd. 2., the qualified person provide adequate opportunity for the woman to ask questions, including questions concerning the pregnancy, her unborn child, abortion, foster care and adoption, and provide the information that is requested or indicate to the woman where she can obtain the information.

SB274,12,21 5. The woman certifies in writing on a form that the department shall provide, prior to performance or inducement of the abortion, that the information that is required under each subdivision paragraph of subds. 1. and 2. has been provided to her in the manner specified in subd. 3., that she has been offered the information described in par. (d) and that all of her questions, as specified under subd. 4., have been answered in a satisfactory manner. The woman shall indicate on the certification form who provided the information to her.

SB274,13,2 6. Prior to the performance or the inducement of the abortion, the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion or the qualified person assisting the physician receives the written certification that is required under subd. 5. The physician or qualified person assisting the physician shall place the certification in the woman's medical record.

SB274,13,6 7. If the woman whose consent to performance or inducement of an abortion under this paragraph is a minor, unless s. 48.375 (4) (a) 2. applies, the requirements to provide information to the woman under subds. 1. to 6. apply to require provision of the information to the individual who also gives consent under s. 48.375 (4) (a) 1.

SB274,13,17 (d) Printed information. By the date that is 60 days after the effective date of this paragraph .... [revisor inserts date], the department shall cause to be published in English, Spanish, and other languages spoken by a significant number of state residents, as determined by the department, materials that are in an easily comprehensible format and are printed in type of not less than 12-point size. The department shall distribute a reasonably adequate number of the materials to county departments as specified under s. 46.245 and upon request, annually review the materials for accuracy and exercise reasonable diligence in providing materials that are accurate and current. The department may charge a fee not to exceed the actual cost of the preparation and distribution of the materials. The materials shall be all of the following:

SB274,14,19 1. Geographically indexed materials that are designed to inform a woman about public and private agencies, including adoption agencies, and services that are available to provide ultrasound imaging services and to assist her through pregnancy, upon childbirth and while the child is dependent. The materials shall include a comprehensive list of the agencies available, a description of the services that they offer and a description of the manner in which they may be contacted, including telephone numbers and addresses, or, at the option of the department, the materials shall include a toll-free, 24-hour telephone number that may be called to obtain an oral listing of available agencies in the locality of the caller and a description of the services that the agencies offer and the manner in which they may be contacted. The materials shall provide information on the availability of governmentally funded programs that serve pregnant women and children. Services identified for the woman shall include aid to families with dependent children under s. 49.19, medical assistance for pregnant women and children under s. 49.47 (4) (am), the job opportunities and basic skills program under s. 49.193, the availability of family or medical leave under s. 103.10, child care services, child support laws and programs and the credit for expenses for household and dependent care and services necessary for gainful employment under section 21 of the internal revenue code. The materials shall state that it is unlawful for any person to coerce a woman to undergo an abortion, that any physician who performs or induces an abortion without obtaining the woman's voluntary and informed consent is liable to her for damages in a civil action and is subject to a civil penalty, that the father of a child is liable for assistance in the support of the child, even in instances in which the father has offered to pay for an abortion, and that adoptive parents may pay the costs of prenatal care, childbirth and neonatal care. The materials shall state that the state of Wisconsin encourages the woman to view an ultrasonic image and hear or view the heartbeat of her unborn child before she decides to have an abortion.

SB274,15,11 2. Materials, including pictures or drawings, that are designed to inform the woman of the probable anatomical and physiological characteristics of the unborn child at 2-week gestational increments for the first 16 weeks of her pregnancy and at 4-week gestational increments from the 17th week of the pregnancy to full term, including any relevant information regarding the time at which the unborn child could possibly be viable. The pictures or drawings must contain the dimensions of the unborn child and must be realistic and appropriate for the stage of pregnancy depicted. The materials shall be objective, nonjudgmental and designed to convey only accurate scientific information about the unborn child at the various gestational ages, including appearance, mobility, brain and heart activity and function, tactile sensitivity and the presence of internal organs and external members. The materials shall also contain objective, accurate information describing the methods of abortion procedures commonly employed, the medical and psychological risks commonly associated with each such procedure, including the risks of infection, psychological trauma, hemorrhage, endometriosis, perforated uterus, incomplete abortion, failed abortion, danger to subsequent pregnancies, infertility and breast cancer, and the medical risks commonly associated with carrying a child to birth.

SB274,15,13 3. A certification form for use under par. (c) 5. that lists, in a check-off format, all of the information required to be provided under that subdivision.

SB274,15,17 (e) Requirement to obtain materials. A physician who intends to perform or induce an abortion shall request a reasonably adequate number of the materials that are described under par. (d) from the department under par. (d) or from a county department as specified under s. 46.245.

SB274,16,2 (f) Medical emergency. If a medical emergency exists, the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion necessitated by the medical emergency shall inform the woman, prior to the abortion if possible, of the medical indications supporting the physician's reasonable medical judgment that an immediate abortion is necessary to avert her death or that a 24-hour delay in performance or inducement of an abortion will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of one or more of the woman's major bodily functions. If possible, the physician shall obtain the woman's written consent prior to the abortion. The physician shall certify these medical indications in writing and place the certification in the woman's medical record.

SB274,16,10 (g) Presumptions. Satisfaction of the conditions required under par. (c) creates a rebuttable presumption that the woman's consent and, if the woman is a minor and if s. 48.375 (4) (a) 2. does not apply, the consent of the individual who also gives consent under s. 48.375 (4) (a) 1. to an abortion is informed. The presumption of informed consent may be overcome by a preponderance of evidence that establishes that the consent was obtained through fraud, negligence, deception, misrepresentation or omission of a material fact. There is no presumption that consent to an abortion is voluntary.

SB274,16,12 (4) Hotline. The department may maintain a toll-free telephone number that is available 24 hours each day, to provide the materials specified in sub. (3) (d) 1.

SB274,16,14 (5) Penalty. Any person who violates sub. (3) shall be required to forfeit not less than $5,000 nor more than $10,000.

SB274,16,18 (6) Civil remedies. (a) A person who violates sub. (3) is liable to the woman on or for whom the abortion was performed or induced for damages arising out of the performance or inducement of the abortion, including damages for personal injury and emotional and psychological distress.

SB274,16,22 (b) If a person who has been awarded damages under par. (a) proves by clear and convincing evidence that the violation of sub. (3) was wilful, wanton or reckless, that person shall, in addition to any damages awarded under par. (a), be entitled to not less than $5,000 nor more than $10,000 in punitive damages.

SB274,16,24 (c) A conviction under sub. (5) is not a condition precedent to bringing an action, obtaining a judgment or collecting the judgment under this subsection.

SB274,17,3 (d) Notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), a person who recovers damages under par. (a) or (b) may also recover reasonable attorney fees incurred in connection with the action.

SB274,17,4 (e) A contract is not a defense to an action under this subsection.

SB274,17,5 (f) Nothing in this subsection limits the common law rights of a person.

SB274,17,12 (7) Affirmative defense. No person is liable under sub. (5) or (6) or under s. 441.07 (1) (f) or 457.26 (2) (gm) for failure under sub. (3) (c) 2. d. to provide the printed materials described in sub. (3) (d) to a woman if the person has made a reasonably diligent effort to obtain the printed materials under sub. (3) (e) and s. 46.245 and the department and the county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23 have not made the printed materials available at the time that the person is required to give them to the woman.

SB274,17,20 (8) Confidentiality. (a) Notwithstanding ss. 801.09 (1), 801.095, 802.04 (1) and 815.05 (intro.), in an action brought under sub. (5) or (6), the plaintiff may substitute her initials, or fictitious initials, and her age and county of residence for her name and address on the summons and complaint. The plaintiff's attorney shall supply the court with the name and other necessary identifying information of the plaintiff. The court shall maintain the name and other identifying information, and supply the information to other parties to the action, in a manner that reasonably protects the information from being disclosed to the public.

SB274,17,25 (b) Upon motion by the plaintiff, and for good cause shown, or upon its own motion, the court may make any order that justice requires to protect a plaintiff who is using initials in an action under sub. (5) or (6) from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression or undue burden that would arise if any information identifying the plaintiff were made public.

SB274,18,3 (9) Construction. Nothing in this section may be construed as creating or recognizing a right to abortion or as making lawful an abortion that is otherwise unlawful.

SB274, s. 5 Section 5. 441.07 (1) (f) of the statutes is created to read:

SB274,18,5 441.07 (1) (f) Violated the requirements of s. 253.10 (3) (c) 2., 3., 4., 5., 6. or 7.

SB274, s. 6 Section 6. 441.07 (1r) of the statutes is created to read:

SB274,18,15 441.07 (1r) (a) In a hearing brought to determine if a violation of sub. (1) (f) has occurred, the person who files the informal complaint may substitute her initials, or fictitious initials, and her age and county of residence for her name and address to the extent that her name and address may appear on any pleading, notice, order or other paper filed in the disciplinary proceeding. The attorney of the person who files the informal complaint shall supply the board with the name and other necessary identifying information of the person. The board shall maintain the name and other identifying information, and supply the information to parties to the hearing, in a manner that reasonably protects the information from being disclosed to the public.

SB274,18,21 (b) Upon request by the person who files the informal complaint, and for good cause shown, or upon its own motion, the board may make any order that justice requires to protect a person who files the informal complaint, who is using initials in a hearing brought to determine if a violation of sub. (1) (f) has occurred, from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression or undue burden that would arise if any information identifying the person were made public.

SB274, s. 7 Section 7. 448.02 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB274,19,17 448.02 (3) (a) The board shall investigate allegations of unprofessional conduct and negligence in treatment by persons holding a license, certificate or limited permit granted by the board. An allegation that a physician has violated s. 253.10 (3), 448.30 or 450.13 (2) or has failed to mail or present a medical certification required under s. 69.18 (2) within 21 days after the pronouncement of death of the person who is the subject of the required certificate or that a physician has failed at least 6 times within a 6-month period to mail or present a medical certificate required under s. 69.18 (2) within 6 days after the pronouncement of death of the person who is the subject of the required certificate is an allegation of unprofessional conduct. Information contained in reports filed with the board under s. 49.45 (2) (a) 12r., 50.36 (3) (b), 609.17 or 632.715 or under 42 CFR 1001.109 (e) and 42 CFR 1001.124 (a) (3) and (b) shall be investigated by the board. Information contained in a report filed with the board under s. 655.045 (1), as created by 1985 Wisconsin Act 29, which is not a finding of negligence or in a report filed with the board under s. 50.36 (3) (c) may, within the discretion of the board, be used as the basis of an investigation of the persons named in the reports. The board may require a person holding a license, certificate or limited permit to undergo and may consider the results of one or more physical, mental or professional competency examinations if the board believes that the results of any such examinations may be useful to the board in conducting its investigation.

SB274, s. 8 Section 8. 448.02 (3) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:

SB274,20,3 448.02 (3) (bm) 1. In a hearing brought to determine if a violation of s. 253.10 (3) has occurred, the person who files the informal complaint may substitute her initials, or fictitious initials, and her age and county of residence for her name and address to the extent that her name and address may appear on any pleading, notice, order or other paper filed in the disciplinary proceeding. The attorney of the person who files the informal complaint shall supply the board with the name and other necessary identifying information of the person. The board shall maintain the name and other identifying information, and supply the information to parties to the hearing, in a manner that reasonably protects the information from being disclosed to the public.

SB274,20,9 2. Upon request by the person who files the informal complaint, and for good cause shown, or upon its own motion, the board may issue any order that justice requires to protect a person who files the informal complaint, who is using initials in a hearing brought to determine if a violation of s. 253.10 (3) has occurred, from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression or undue burden that would arise if any information identifying the person were made public.

SB274, s. 9 Section 9. 457.26 (2) (gm) of the statutes is created to read:

SB274,20,12 457.26 (2) (gm) Violated the requirements of s. 253.10 (3) (c) 2., 3., 4., 5., 6. or 7.

SB274, s. 10 Section 10. 457.26 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB274,20,23 457.26 (2m) (a) In a hearing brought to determine if a violation of sub. (2) (gm) has occurred, the person who files the informal complaint may substitute her initials, or fictitious initials, and her age and county of residence for her name and address, to the extent that her name and address may appear on any pleading, notice, order or other paper filed in the disciplinary proceedings. The attorney of the person who files the informal complaint shall supply the social worker section of the examining board with the name and other necessary identifying information of the person. The social worker section of the examining board shall maintain the name and other identifying information, and supply the information to parties to the hearing, in a manner that reasonably protects the information from being disclosed to the public.

SB274,21,5 (b) Upon request by the person who files the informal complaint, and for good cause shown, or upon its own motion, the social worker section of the examining board may issue any order that justice requires to protect a person who files the informal complaint, who is using initials in a hearing brought to determine if a violation of sub. (2) (gm) has occurred, from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression or undue burden that would arise if any information identifying the person were made public.

SB274, s. 11 Section 11. 893.55 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB274,21,16 893.55 (3m) (a) Notwithstanding ss. 801.09 (1), 801.095, 802.04 (1) and 815.05 (intro.), in an action brought under this section resulting from a violation of s. 253.10 (3) or in an action to recover damages for injury that arises from the performance or inducement of an abortion, the plaintiff may substitute her initials, or fictitious initials, and her age and county of residence for her name and address on the summons and complaint. The plaintiff's attorney shall supply the court with the name and other necessary identifying information of the plaintiff. The court shall maintain the name and other identifying information, and supply the information to other parties to the action, in a manner that reasonably protects the information from being disclosed to the public.

SB274,21,23 (b) Upon motion by the plaintiff, and for good cause shown, or upon its own motion, the court may make any order that justice requires to protect a plaintiff who is using initials in an action under this section resulting from a violation of s. 253.10 (3) or in an action to recover damages for injury that arises from the performance or inducement of an abortion from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression or undue burden that would arise if any information identifying the plaintiff were made public.

SB274,21,24 (End)