§1061.13. Abortion after viability; second attendant physician required; duties

A. Before a physician may perform an abortion upon a pregnant woman whose unborn child is viable, such physician shall first certify in writing that the abortion is necessary to preserve the life or health of the woman and shall further certify in writing the medical indications for such abortion and the probable health consequences.

B. Any physician who performs an abortion upon a woman carrying a viable unborn child shall utilize the available method or technique of abortion most likely to preserve the life and health of the unborn child. In cases where the method or technique of abortion which would most likely preserve the life and health of the unborn child would present a greater risk to the life and health of the woman than another available method or technique, the physician may utilize such other method or technique. In all cases where the physician performs an abortion upon a viable unborn child, the physician shall certify in writing the available method or techniques considered and the reasons for choosing the method or technique employed.

C. An abortion of a viable unborn child shall be performed or induced only when there is in attendance a physician other than the physician performing or inducing the abortion who shall take control of and provide immediate medical care for an infant born alive as a result of the abortion. During the performance of the abortion, the physician performing it, and subsequent to the abortion, the physician required by this Section to be in attendance, shall take all reasonable steps in keeping with good medical practice, consistent with the procedure used, to preserve the life and health of the viable unborn child and born-alive infant, respectively, provided that it does not pose an increased risk to the life or health of the woman.

Added by Acts 1978, No. 435, §1. Amended by Acts 1981, No. 774, §1, eff. July 23, 1981; Acts 1999, No. 1232, §1, eff. July 9, 1999; Acts 2001, No. 1110, §1, eff. June 28, 2001; Redesignated from R.S. 40:1299.35.4 by HCR 84 of 2015 R.S.