§32.11. Partial birth abortion

A. Any physician who knowingly performs a partial birth abortion and thereby kills a human fetus shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not less than one nor more than ten years, fined not less than ten thousand nor more than one hundred thousand dollars, or both. This Section shall not apply to a partial birth abortion that is necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself.

B. For purposes of this Section, the following words have the following meanings:

(1) "Partial birth abortion" means an abortion in which:

(a) The person performing the abortion deliberately and intentionally vaginally delivers a living fetus until, in the case of a head-first presentation, the entire fetal head is outside the body of the mother, or, in the case of breech presentation, any part of the fetal trunk past the navel is outside the body of the mother for the purpose of performing an overt act that the person knows will kill the partially delivered living fetus; and

(b) Performs the overt act, other than completion of delivery, that kills the partially delivered living fetus.

(2) "Physician" means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy legally authorized to practice medicine and surgery by the state in which the doctor performs such activity, or any other individual legally authorized by this state to perform abortions, provided, however, that any individual who is not a physician or not otherwise legally authorized by this state to perform abortions, but who nevertheless directly performs a partial birth abortion, shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

C.(1) A defendant charged with an offense under this Section may seek a hearing before the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners on whether the physician's conduct was necessary to save the life of the mother whose life was endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself. The report of the board shall be discoverable.

(2) The findings on that issue are admissible on that issue at the trial of the defendant. Upon a motion of the defendant, the court shall delay the beginning of the trial for not more than thirty days to permit such a hearing to take place.

D. A woman upon whom a partial birth abortion is performed shall not be subject to prosecution for a violation of this Section as a principal, accessory, or coconspirator thereto.

Acts 2007, No. 477, §1, eff. July 12, 2007.