A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to define public health requirements for abortion clinics.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 130A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:
"Article 23.
"Abortion.
"§ 130A‑491.  Abortion clinics.
(a)	Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section:
(1)	Abortion clinic. – A facility certified by the Department of Health and Human Services in which abortions are performed during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy that is neither physically attached to a licensed hospital nor operated by a licensed hospital.
(2)	Backup hospital. – A hospital that can be reached within one hour by motor vehicle under average traveling conditions.
(b)	Admitting Patients. – Only a physician who is licensed to practice medicine in this State and who has admitting privileges to perform obstetric and gynecological procedures at a backup hospital may admit a patient for treatment at an abortion clinic.
(c)	Emergency Transfer Plan. – Each abortion clinic shall enter into a written agreement with a backup hospital to facilitate the transfer of patients who are in need of emergency care. A copy of this agreement shall be presented to each patient at the time of admittance to the abortion clinic. In any case in which transfer of a patient to a hospital is necessary, a staff member of the abortion clinic shall accompany the patient to the hospital and shall assist the patient in obtaining admission to the hospital.
"§§ 130A-492 through 130A-495:  Reserved for future codification purposes."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.