§ 63-1-745.16. Violations of act - Penalties - Civil actions.  


Latest version.
  • A.  Any person who intentionally or recklessly performs or induces an abortion in violation of the Heartbeat Informed Consent Act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.  No penalty shall be assessed against the woman upon whom the abortion is performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced.

    B.  Any woman upon whom an abortion has been performed or induced in violation of this act, or the father of the unborn child who was the subject of such an abortion, may maintain an action against the person who performed or induced the abortion in intentional or reckless violation of this act for actual and punitive damages.  Any woman upon whom an abortion has been attempted in violation of this act may maintain an action against the person who attempted to perform or induce the abortion in an intentional or reckless violation of this act for actual and punitive damages.

    C.  A cause of action for injunctive relief against any person who has intentionally or recklessly violated this act may be maintained by the woman upon whom an abortion was performed or induced in violation of this act; by any person who is the spouse, parent, sibling, or guardian of, or a current or former licensed health care provider of, the woman upon whom an abortion has been performed or induced in violation of this act; by a district attorney with appropriate jurisdiction; or by the Attorney General.  The injunction shall prevent the abortion provider from performing or inducing further abortions in violation of this act in the state.

    D.  If judgment is rendered in favor of the plaintiff in an action described in this section, the court shall also render judgment for a reasonable attorney fee in favor of the plaintiff against the defendant.

    E.  If judgment is rendered in favor of the defendant and the court finds that the plaintiff's suit was frivolous and brought in bad faith, the court shall also render judgment for a reasonable attorney fee in favor of the defendant against the plaintiff.

    F.  No damages or attorney fee may be assessed against the woman upon whom an abortion was performed or attempted to be performed or induced except in accordance with subsection E of this section.

Added by Laws 2012, c. 159, § 6, eff. Nov. 1, 2012.