Sec. 6. (a) A mandatory reporter must report to law enforcement every instance of alleged or suspected coerced abortion. A mandatory reporter may not use discretion in deciding whether a case should or should not be reported to law enforcement.

     (b) A mandatory reporter must make a report described in subsection (a) immediately to law enforcement when the coercion or attempted coercion is brought to the mandatory reporter’s attention.

Terms Used In Indiana Code 16-34-6-6

  • abortion: has the meaning set forth in IC 16-18-2-1. See Indiana Code 16-34-6-1
  • mandatory reporter: means any person providing health care services, including:

    Indiana Code 16-34-6-2

  • Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
  • reproductive health care facility: means any office, clinic, or other physical location licensed by the state to provide surgical or medical abortions, abortion counseling, abortion referrals, contraceptives, contraceptive counseling, sex education, or gynecological services. See Indiana Code 16-34-6-4
     (c) A mandatory reporter may not delegate the responsibility to report coercion or attempted coercion under subsection (a) to another individual.

     (d) The mandatory reporter making a report under subsection (a) shall provide the following information:

(1) The name and address of the pregnant woman.

(2) The name and address of the person who is responsible for the care or custody of the pregnant woman if she is less than eighteen (18) years of age.

(3) Any pertinent information relating to the alleged or suspected coercion or attempted coercion of the pregnant woman to undergo an abortion.

     (e) After receiving a report under subsection (a), a law enforcement agency must immediately respond and initiate an investigation. The law enforcement agency shall conduct an investigation under this chapter in the same manner that the law enforcement agency would conduct any other criminal investigation.

     (f) A reproductive health care facility that knowingly employs a mandatory reporter after a mandatory reporter violates this section commits a Class C infraction.

As added by P.L.93-2022, SEC.5.

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