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LAWS OF MARYLAND
Ch. 467
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:
Article 4 3 - Health
138.
(A) A PERSON MAY NOT PERFORM BEFORE A PHYSICIAN
PERFORMS AN ABORTION UNLESS THE WOMAN UNDERGOING THE
PROCEDURE HAS BEEN ADVISED SHALL BE ADVISED OF:
(1) THAT THE EXTENT TO WHICH FINANCIAL AND
OTHER MATERIAL ASSISTANCE TO CARRY THE PREGNANCY TO A NORMAL
DELIVERY MAY BE IS AVAILABLE;
(2) THAT THE EXTENT TO WHICH FINANCIAL AND
OTHER MATERIAL ASSISTANCE TO RAISE AND SUPPORT HER CHILD MAY
BE IS AVAILABLE; AND
(3) THAT THE EXTENT TO WHICH ASSISTANCE FROM
LICENSED AND REGULATED ADOPTION AGENCIES MAY BE IS AVAILABLE
IF SHE CHOOSES NOT TO KEEP THE BABY.
(B) THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES IN COOPERATION
WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE SHALL
ANNUALLY PREPARE, PERIODICALLY UPDATE, AND PUBLISH A LIST OF
FEDERAL, STATE, AND PRIVATE SOURCES OF THE TYPES AND EXTENT
OF ASSISTANCE REFERRED TO IN SUBSECTION (A), AND SHALL
DISTRIBUTE THIS PUBLISHED INFORMATION TO ALL HOSPITALS,
CLINICS, PHYSICIANS' OFFICES, AND OTHER FACILITIES WHERE
ABORTIONS ARE PERFORMED.
(C) THE SIGNING OF A DOCUMENT BY A PERSON SEEKING AN
ABORTION INDICATING THAT THEY HAVE SHE HAS BEEN SHOWN
COUNSELLED CONCERNING THE PUBLISHED INFORMATION REFERRED TO
IN SUBSECTION (B) SHALL BE EVIDENCE THAT THE REQUISITE
INFORMATION WAS GIVEN TO THE PERSON. THE SIGNED DOCUMENT
SHALL BECOME PART OF THE MEDICAL RECORD.
(D) THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY WHEN IT IS CERTIFIED
BY THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN THAT ABORTION IS CONSIDERED
NECESSARY TO SAVE THE PHYSICAL LIFE OF THE PREGNANT WOMAN.
(E) ANY PERSON WHO WILLFULLY VIOLATES THE PROVISIONS
OF SUBSECTION (A) , OR WHO AIDS AND ABETS A VIOLATION OF THAT
SUBSECTION, IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR, AND UPON CONVICTION
IS SUBJECT TO IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN 60 DAYS OR A
FINE OF NOT MORE THAN $500 $1000, OR BOTH $500.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1979.
Approved May 29, 1979.
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