ABORTIONS GENERALLY

Sec. 4. 22 MRSA §1597-A, as amended by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. K, §11 and affected by Pt. X, §2, is repealed.

Sec. 5. 22 MRSA §1598, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1993, c. 61, §2, is further amended to read:

1. Policy. It is the public policy of the State that the State not restrict a woman's exercise of her private decision to terminate a pregnancy before viability except as provided in section 1597-A subchapter 2. After viability an abortion may be performed only when it is necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother. It is also the public policy of the State that all abortions may be performed only by a physician.

Sec. 6. 22 MRSA c. 263-B, sub-c. 2 is enacted to read:

SUBCHAPTER 2

ABORTIONS FOR MINORS

§1600.__Definitions

As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

1.__Counselor.__"Counselor" means any of the following:

A.__A psychiatrist;

B.__A psychologist licensed under Title 32, chapter 56;

C.__A social worker licensed under Title 32, chapter 83;

D.__An ordained member of the clergy;

E.__A physician's assistant registered by the Board of Licensure in Medicine under Title 32, chapter 48;

F.__A nurse practitioner licensed under Title 32, chapter 31 and registered by the Board of Licensure in Medicine under Title 32, chapter 48;

G.__A certified guidance counselor;