18.2-74 - When abortion or termination of pregnancy lawful after second trimester of pregnancy. - Virginia Statutes

§ 18.2-74. When abortion or termination of pregnancy lawful after secondtrimester of pregnancy.

Notwithstanding any of the provisions of § 18.2-71 and in addition to theprovisions of §§ 18.2-72 and 18.2-73, it shall be lawful for any physicianlicensed by the Board of Medicine to practice medicine and surgery toterminate or attempt to terminate a human pregnancy or aid or assist in thetermination of a human pregnancy by performing an abortion or causing amiscarriage on any woman in a stage of pregnancy subsequent to the secondtrimester provided the following conditions are met:

(a) Said operation is performed in a hospital licensed by the Virginia StateDepartment of Health or operated by the Department of Behavioral Health andDevelopmental Services.

(b) The physician and two consulting physicians certify and so enter in thehospital record of the woman, that in their medical opinion, based upon theirbest clinical judgment, the continuation of the pregnancy is likely to resultin the death of the woman or substantially and irremediably impair the mentalor physical health of the woman.

(c) Measures for life support for the product of such abortion or miscarriagemust be available and utilized if there is any clearly visible evidence ofviability.

(1975, cc. 14, 15; 2009, cc. 813, 840.)