Sectional Analysis for HB 234

Relating to assistance for abortions under the general relief program; and relating to financial responsibility for the costs of abortions

Sec. 1 establishes the financial responsibility of both parents for the costs of an abortion.

Sec. 2 would require a pregnant woman who is seeking an abortion under the general relief program to assign to DHSS the right to recover the costs of the abortion from the other parent and to cooperate in establishing who and where the other parent is.

Sec. 3 revises the priority list to give abortion services the lowest priority when funding is insufficient for the general relief program.

Sec. 4 clarifies that the state has a claim against the pregnant woman for abortion costs and that the permanent fund dividend of the woman is a resource the state can pursue.

Sec. 5 amends the current statute that already allows the state to pursue third parties to recover the cost of general relief cash assistance so that the statute also includes recovery of abortion costs from third parties, including the other parent.

Sec. 6 adds an authorization for the state to take a permanent fund dividend to recover the costs of an abortion from a third party.

Sec. 7 contains a revised definition of "abortion."

HB 234 has no effective date clause and would, therefore, become effective 90 days after it is signed or allowed to become law.