Healthcare (Women's Health)

HB 1401 requires healthcare providers performing abortions to inform patients about specific risks - including depression, infection, hemorrhage, breast cancer, future pregnancy dangers, infertility, and regret - and obtain their signed, written consent before the procedure. This applies directly to qualified providers (like doctors or clinics) offering abortion services and affects patients seeking those services in Maryland. The bill mandates providers to document the signed consent in the patient’s medical record. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and updates Maryland’s health code to require this informed consent process for abortion procedures.

HB 1281 requires that a transabdominal ultrasound be performed before most abortions in Maryland, with specific standards for the procedure and information provided to the patient. The ultrasound must include fetal measurements and images when viewable, and the woman must be offered the option to view the image, receive a printed copy, or hear the fetal heartbeat - though she is not required to accept these. Abortion providers cannot perform the procedure within 24 hours of the ultrasound for most patients, but the wait time is reduced to 2 hours for women living 100+ miles from the facility. Facilities must retain a printed copy of the ultrasound for at least 7 years, and violations may result in a $2,500 penalty.

HB 49 restricts abortion access by requiring physicians (not other providers) to perform abortions and banning procedures before a detectable fetal heartbeat is confirmed. It defines "fetal heartbeat" as cardiac activity visible via ultrasound and mandates physicians use specific medical methods to detect it, including documenting gestational age and test results. Exceptions apply for medical emergencies, requiring written documentation certifying the necessity. The bill repeals prior abortion regulations and shifts enforcement to private civil lawsuits, not government action. It directly affects physicians performing abortions, pregnant patients seeking care, and healthcare facilities.