H. B. 3187
(By Delegate D. Poling)
[Introduced March 17, 2009; referred to the
Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.]
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto
a new section, designated §33-42-9, relating to prohibiting the Department of
Health and Human Resources from being involved in aiding or assisting any
person to obtain an abortion to a greater extent than is required by law; and
prescribing criminal penalties for violations of the section.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding
thereto a new section, designated §33-42-9, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 42. WOMEN'S ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE ACT.
§33-42-9. Department of Health and Human Resources involvement in abortions
limited; penalty.
The Department of Health and Human Resources is prohibited from being
involved in aiding or assisting any person to obtain an abortion to a greater
extent than is required by law. Any employee, agent or contractor of the
Department of Health and Human Resources who violates the requirements of this
section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined
not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000. Nothing in this section shall be
construed or interpreted to endorse, allow, permit or approve of any abortion.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the Department of Health and Human
Resources from being involved in aiding or assisting any person to obtain an
abortion to a greater extent than is required by law and to prescribe criminal
penalties for violations of the section.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present law,
and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.