Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB165

Introduced
1/16/25  

Caption

In abortion, further providing for medical consultation and judgment.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would significantly alter the legal framework surrounding abortion procedures in Pennsylvania, particularly affecting how healthcare providers must approach pain management for unborn children. Opponents of the bill may view it as a potential infringement on a woman's right to choose and complicating abortion practices by imposing additional medical protocols that must be followed.

Summary

House Bill 165 seeks to amend Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes related to abortions, specifically regarding the provision of pain relief medication. The bill mandates that no abortion shall be performed on an unborn child who is more than 15 weeks gestational age without first administering pain relief medication. Exceptions to this rule are provided for situations in which the physician is aware of an adverse reaction to the medication by the pregnant woman or in cases of medical emergencies where immediate action is required.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 165 is likely to be divisive, given the ongoing national discourse surrounding reproductive rights. Supporters may argue that the bill is a necessary step for fetal protection and medical ethics, asserting that pain relief is a humane consideration in abortion practices. Conversely, critics might label it as an unnecessary barrier to women seeking abortions, arguing that it prioritizes fetal pain over a woman's autonomy and healthcare decisions.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the ethical implications of administering pain relief medication to a fetus and the potential for this legislation to create additional barriers for individuals seeking access to reproductive healthcare services. Opponents may frame the bill as an example of governmental overreach into personal medical decisions, while proponents are likely to argue for the necessity of compassionate medical care during abortions.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB2005

In abortion, further providing for medical consultation and judgment and for informed consent.

PA HB1801

In abortion, further providing for medical consultation and judgment and for informed consent.

PA HB1844

In abortion, further providing for definitions and for medical consultation and judgment.

PA HB1740

In abortion, further providing for legislative intent, providing for fetal heartbeat examination and further providing for medical consultation and judgment and for abortion on unborn child of 24 or more weeks gestational age; and making an editorial change.

PA HB1841

In abortion, further providing for informed consent and providing for medical education.

PA HB1643

In dockets, indices and other records, further providing for enforcement of foreign judgments.

PA SB882

In dockets, indices and other records, further providing for enforcement of foreign judgments.

PA HB2282

In judgments and other liens, providing for bankruptcy exemption.

PA HB1631

In judgments and other liens, providing for bankruptcy exemption.

PA HB26

In provisions relating to abortion, repealing provisions relating to short title of chapter and to legislative intent, further providing for definitions, repealing provisions relating to medical consultation and judgment, to informed consent, to parental consent, to abortion facilities, to printed information, to Commonwealth interference prohibited, to spousal notice, to determination of gestational age, to abortion on unborn child of 24 or more weeks gestational age, to infanticide, to prohibited acts and to reporting, further providing for publicly owned facilities, public officials and public funds and for fetal experimentation and repealing provisions relating to civil penalties, to criminal penalties, to State Board of Medicine and State Board of Osteopathic Medicine and to construction; providing for reproductive rights; repealing provisions relating to compliance with Federal health care legislation as to regulation of insurers and related persons generally; and imposing penalties.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.