GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
H	1
HOUSE BILL 1259
     

 
Short Title:	Abortion Clinic Requirements.	()	
Sponsors:	Representatives Davis, Carpenter (Primary Sponsors);  Blust, Capps, Culp, Gillespie, Harrington, Hiatt, Hilton, Morris, Setzer, and G. Wilson.	
Referred to:	Health.	
April 12, 2001

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO define public health REQUIREMENTS for ABORTION CLINICS.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 130A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:
"Article 21.
"Abortion.
"§ 130A-465.  Abortion clinics.
(a)	Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section:
(1)	Abortion clinic. – A facility certified by the Department of Health and Human Services in which abortions are performed during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy and that is neither physically attached to a licensed hospital nor operated by a licensed hospital.
(2)	Backup hospital. – A hospital that can be reached within one hour by motor vehicle under average traveling conditions.
(b)	Admitting Patients. – Only a physician who is licensed to practice medicine in this State and who has admitting privileges to perform obstetric and gynecological procedures at a backup hospital may admit a patient for treatment at an abortion clinic.
(c)	Emergency Transfer Plan. – Each abortion clinic shall enter into a written agreement with a backup hospital to facilitate the transfer of patients who are in need of emergency care. A copy of this agreement shall be presented to each patient at the time of admittance to the abortion clinic. In any case in which transfer of a patient to a hospital is necessary, a staff member of the abortion clinic shall accompany the patient to the hospital and shall assist the patient in obtaining admission to the hospital."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 130A‑466 through G.S. 130A‑469 are reserved for future codification.
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2001.