Abortion; authorized to preserve health of mother or if pregnancy result of rape or incest; man convicted of rape or incest required to pay for abortion and undergo vasectomy; mother of unborn child who undergoes abortion to preserve her health authorized to petition to require father of unborn child to pay for certain abortion costs; judge authorized to excuse father from payment if he undergoes vasectomy

HB 46 would expand abortion access in Alabama by adding two new exceptions: abortions necessary to preserve a mother's health (beyond current medical emergency standards) and abortions resulting from rape or incest. It requires men convicted of rape or incest that caused a pregnancy to pay for the abortion and related medical costs, and to undergo a vasectomy or castration. Mothers seeking abortions for health reasons could petition courts to compel the father to cover all pregnancy and abortion expenses, while fathers could avoid payment by agreeing to a vasectomy. The bill also establishes court procedures for resolving paternity disputes related to these financial obligations. (Note: This bill is pending review by the House Health Committee as of January 2026.)