(1) Prior to performing an abortion, the physician who is to perform the abortion or his agent shall notify, if reasonably possible, the spouse of the woman upon whom the abortion is to be performed. If it is not reasonably possible to notify the spouse prior to the abortion, the physician or his agent shall do so, if reasonably possible, within thirty (30) days of the abortion.
(2) (a) The requirements of this section shall not apply if, before the abortion is performed, either party to a marriage has filed a petition for dissolution of marriage which has been served on the respondent;

Terms Used In Kentucky Statutes 311.735

  • Action: includes all proceedings in any court of this state. See Kentucky Statutes 446.010
  • Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.

(b) The requirements of this section shall not apply when, in the medical judgment of the attending physician based on the particular facts of the case before him, there exists a medical emergency. In such a case, the physician shall describe the basis of his medical judgment that such an emergency exists on a form prescribed by the cabinet as required by KRS § 213.101, and the physician or his agent shall notify, if reasonably possible, the spouse of the woman upon whom the abortion was performed, within thirty (30) days of the abortion.
(3) Failure to notify a spouse as required by this section is prima facie evidence of interference with family relations in appropriate civil actions. The law of this Commonwealth shall not be construed to preclude the award of punitive damages or damages for emotional distress, even if unaccompanied by physical complications in any civil action brought pursuant to violations of this section. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the common law rights of a husband.
Effective: June 27, 2019
History: Amended 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 191, sec. 4, effective June 27, 2019. — Created
1982 Ky. Acts ch. 342, sec. 7, effective July 15, 1982.