28-328. Partial-birth abortion; prohibition; violation; penalties.

(1) No partial-birth abortion shall be performed in this state, unless such procedure is necessary to save the life of the mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself.

(2) The intentional and knowing performance of an unlawful partial-birth abortion in violation of subsection (1) of this section is a Class III felony.

(3) No woman upon whom an unlawful partial-birth abortion is performed shall be prosecuted under this section or for conspiracy to violate this section.

(4) The intentional and knowing performance of an unlawful partial-birth abortion shall result in the automatic suspension and revocation of an attending physician's license to practice medicine in Nebraska by the Division of Public Health pursuant to sections 38-177 to 38-1,102.

(5) Upon the filing of criminal charges under this section by the Attorney General or a county attorney, the Attorney General shall also file a petition to suspend and revoke the attending physician's license to practice medicine pursuant to section 38-186. A hearing on such administrative petition shall be set in accordance with section 38-188. At such hearing, the attending physician shall have the opportunity to present evidence that the physician's conduct was necessary to save the life of a mother whose life was endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself. A defendant against whom criminal charges are brought under this section may bring a motion to delay the beginning of the trial until after the entry of an order by the Director of Public Health pursuant to section 38-196. The findings of the director as to whether the attending physician's conduct was necessary to save the life of a mother whose life was endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, shall be admissible in the criminal proceedings brought pursuant to this section.

Source:Laws 1997, LB 23, § 3; Laws 2007, LB296, § 28; Laws 2007, LB463, § 1118.

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