§16-5-22 Reports of induced termination of pregnancy. - West Virginia Statutes

§16-5-22. Reports of induced termination of pregnancy.
(a) Each induced termination of pregnancy which occurs in this state, regardless of the length of gestation, shall be reported to the section of vital statistics no later than the tenth day of the month following the month the procedure was performed by the person in charge of the institution in which the induced termination of pregnancy was performed. If the induced termination of pregnancy was performed outside an institution, it shall be reported by the attending physician. The State Registrar shall prepare a form or provide a suitable electronic process for the transmission of the reports from the institution or physician to the section of vital statistics. Information to be collected shall include:

(1) The gestational age of the fetus;

(2) The state and county of residence of the woman;

(3) The age of the woman;

(4) The type of medical or surgical procedure performed;

(5) The method of payment for the procedure;

(6) Whether birth defects were known, and if so, what birth defects; and

(7) Related information as required by the commissioner, other applicable sections of this code, or by the legislative rule: Provided, That:

(A) No personal identifiers, including, but not limited to, name, street address, city, zip code, or social security number, will be collected; and

(B) Individual records may only be released for research purposes as approved by the State Registrar and may be released in a format designed to further protect the confidentiality of the woman as the State Registrar deems necessary.

(b) An analysis of the compiled information relating to induced terminations of pregnancy shall be included in the annual report of vital statistics.