Signed by Governor Jeff Landry

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that amends classification of abortion drugs Misoprostol and Mifepristone as controlled substances in Louisiana.

Highlights:

• Establishes the crime of Coerced Criminal Abortion, defined as giving a pregnant woman an abortion-inducing drug with her knowledge or consent with the intent to cause an abortion (Sec. 87.6.1.A).

• Establishes the punishment for Coerced Criminal Abortion as 5-10 years in a hard labor prison and/or $10,000-$75,000 in fines. If the fetus is 3 months in gestational age, the punishments increase to 10-20 years in a hard labor prison and/or $50,000-$100,000 in fines (Sec. 87.6.1.B).

• Prohibits the use of the section as a defense against committing the crime of murder for anyone being prosecuted for Coerced Criminal Abortion (Sec. 87.6.1.C).

• Amends and adds the abortifacient drugs, Mifepristone and Misoprisotol to the list of Schedule IV controlled substances (Sec. 40:962 F).

• Exempts pregnant women from being in violation of this section if they possess Mifepristone or Misoprostol for their own consumption (Sec. 969 C 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that amends classification of abortion drugs Misoprostol and Mifepristone as controlled substances in Louisiana.

Highlights:

• Establishes the crime of Coerced Criminal Abortion, defined as giving a pregnant woman an abortion-inducing drug with her knowledge or consent with the intent to cause an abortion (Sec. 87.6.1.A).

• Establishes the punishment for Coerced Criminal Abortion as 5-10 years in a hard labor prison and/or $10,000-$75,000 in fines. If the fetus is 3 months in gestational age, the punishments increase to 10-20 years in a hard labor prison and/or $50,000-$100,000 in fines (Sec. 87.6.1.B).

• Prohibits the use of the section as a defense against committing the crime of murder for anyone being prosecuted for Coerced Criminal Abortion (Sec. 87.6.1.C).

• Amends and adds the abortifacient drugs, Mifepristone and Misoprisotol to the list of Schedule IV controlled substances (Sec. 40:962 F).

• Exempts pregnant women from being in violation of this section if they possess Mifepristone or Misoprostol for their own consumption (Sec. 969 C 2).

Full Bill Text