CARSON CITY (AP) — Physicians will no longer be required to tell a pregnant woman about the "emotional implications" of an abortion under a law signed by Nevada's Democratic governor.
Gov. Steve Sisolak signed the measure on Friday. The legislation also repeals a requirement that physicians document a pregnant woman's marital status and removes a criminal penalty for anyone who supplies a woman with medication to induce an abortion without the advice of a physician.
#SB179, the Trust Nevada Women Act, repeals outdated criminal penalties for abortion and aligns antiquated informed consent laws with today’s medical standards. Congratulations to @YvannaCancela @NaralNv and all who worked hard on this legislation! (2/3) pic.twitter.com/refwjIjThf
— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) May 31, 2019
The repealed criminal statute extended to anyone who uses an "instrument" to terminate a pregnancy without the advice of a physician.
Sisolak's signature bucks a national trend toward restrictive abortion laws.
The governor expressed disappointed by those laws in other states, but says the Nevada bill reaffirms the state's commitment to protecting reproductive freedom.