House bill NO. 570

INTRODUCED BY M. Marler

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT revising laws related to access to reproductive and endocrine health care; providing a claim for damages and a civil fine; and providing definitions."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

NEW SECTION. Section 1. Interference with access to reproductive care -- cause of action -- civil penalty -- definitions. (1) A person may not intentionally or negligently interfere with an individual's ability to obtain reproductive or endocrine health care.

(2)        A person who intentionally or negligently interferes with an individual's ability to access reproductive or endocrine health care is subject to:

(a)        a civil cause of action for compensatory damages, attorney fees, and costs; and

(b)        a civil fine of up to $500.

(3)        As used in this section:

(a)        "interfere with" means impeding, obstructing, preventing, or disturbing an individual's exercise, attempt to exercise, or facilitation of or attempt to facilitate an individual's ability to access reproductive or endocrine health care as described in subsection (1); and

(b)        "reproductive or endocrine health care" means all medical, surgical, counseling, and referral services relating to the human reproductive system or endocrine system, including but not limited to pregnancy, contraception, and the termination of a pregnancy. The term includes services provided in a hospital, clinic, physician's office, or other facility providing reproductive or endocrine health care.

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 27, chapter 1, and the provisions of Title 27, chapter 1, apply to [section 1].