Termination of Pregnancy Bill 2018

(An Bille um Ginmhealladh 2018)

Be it Enacted by the Oireachtas as follows:

Section 1. Conditions for the Termination of Pregnancy

Subject to the provisions outlined in this section, this bill takes precedence over the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013.

Subsection 1.1: Termination in Early Pregnancy

Termination of Pregnancy will be allowed throughout the entire pregnancy under the following conditions and in the following circumstances:

(i) The diagnosis was made by a suitably qualified registered medical practitioner who is of the opinion, formed in good faith, that:

?(a) the pregnancy has not exceeded its twenty-fourth week; (b) It shall be necessary for 72 hours to elapse between the time of the certification referred to in subhead (a) and the termination of pregnancy being carried out.

Subsection 1.2: Termination where there is risk to the life and/or health of the pregnant woman.

Termination of Pregnancy will be allowed throughout the entire pregnancy under the following conditions and in the following circumstances:

(i) The diagnosis was made by two suitably qualified registered medical practitioners who are of the opinion, formed in good faith, that:

?(a) there is a risk to the life of, or of serious harm to the health of, the pregnant woman, (b) the foetus has not reached viability, and (c) it is appropriate to carry out the termination of pregnancy in order to avert that risk. (ii) Of the two medical practitioners referred to in subhead (i):

?(a) One will be an obstetrician (b) The other will be an appropriate medical practitioner

Subsection 1.3: Termination where there is an immediate risk to the life and/or health of the pregnant women.

(i) It shall be lawful to carry out a termination of pregnancy throughout the entire pregnancy in accordance with this Head, where a medical practitioner is of the reasonable opinion formed in good faith that:

?(a) there is an immediate risk to the life of, or of serious harm to the health of, the pregnant woman, and (b) it is immediately necessary to carry out the termination of pregnancy in order to avert that risk.

Subsection 1.4: Termination where there is a condition present that is likely to lead to the death of the foetus.

(i) It shall be lawful to carry out a termination of pregnancy throughout the entire pregnancy in accordance with this subsection where 2 medical practitioners certify that, in their reasonable opinion, there is present a condition affecting the foetus that is likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before birth or shortly after birth.

(ii) Of the two medical practitioners referred to in subhead (i):

(a) One will be an obstetrician (b) The other will be an appropriate medical practitioner. Section 2. Conscientious Objection

(i) No person shall be under any duty to participate directly in any medical or surgical procedure to which they have a conscientious objection and which will result in the termination of a pregnancy.

(ii)The right to object on grounds of conscience will not affect any duty to participate directly in such a procedure which is necessary to save the life, or to prevent permanent or long-term injury to the physical or mental health, of a pregnant woman.

(iii) Medical professionals relevant to the termination of pregnancy must privately register withe the NHS. Failure to so will be subject to review. Any patient who feels they have been denied by a Conscientious Objector may file a petition, seek a further review, and will be allowed to terminate beyond 24 weeks if necessary.

Section 3. Commencement and Short Title

(i) This Act comes into operation on the day after the day on which it receives assent from Uachtarán na hEireann.

(ii) This Act may be cited as the Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018.

This bill was submitted by /u/Estoban06 on behalf of the Government of Ireland.

This vote will end at 23:59 on 4 November 2018