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Policy Manual
HEALTH CARE
Standards Regarding the Delivery of Health Care

44-5-4
Termination of Pregnancy

Introduction Public Act 90-113 (CONN. GEN. STAT. § 19a-600, 19a-601 and 19a-602) repealed CONN. GEN. STAT. § 53-29 through 53-31b, inclusive, criminal statutes regarding abortion. Additionally, the Act provides that the decision to terminate a pregnancy shall be solely that of a pregnant woman in consultation with her doctor. The Act requires young women under sixteen (16) years of age to receive specific pregnancy information and counseling before terminating a pregnancy.

Temporary caretakers, statutory, natural, foster and adoptive parents or guardians have no legal role in the decision, and do not have to be consulted with, or notified of, the decision. The Department may assist young women by providing access to appropriate medical and/or counseling services.
Definition Counselor means a psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, certified independent social worker, certified guidance counselor, certified marriage and family therapist, ordained member of the clergy, certified physician's assistant, licensed nurse-midwife, and licensed registered or practical nurse.
Pregnancy Information and Counseling Pregnancy information and counseling prior to an abortion must be provided by a physician or counselor.
Counseling Requirements Counselors shall:

•explain that the information is intended neither to persuade the young woman to have an abortion nor to carry the pregnancy to term

•explain to the young woman that if she does decide to have an abortion, she can change her mind at any time before the abortion

•explain that if she decides not to have an abortion, she can change her mind at any time during which she can have a legal abortion

•explain the alternatives to having an abortion including informing the young woman of the possibility of having the child and keeping it, putting the child up for adoption, or placing the child with a relative or in foster care

•inform the young woman that public and private agencies are available to assist her with the alternative she chooses and that she can have a list of these agencies and their services

•explain to the young woman that she can get birth control information from public and private agencies and that she can have a list of these agencies

•discuss with the young woman the possibilities of involving her parents or other adult family members in her decision on the pregnancy

•discuss with the young woman whether she thinks involving her parents would be in her best interest

•give the young woman a chance to ask questions about pregnancy, abortion and child care

•give her the information she wants or inform her where such information can be obtained.
Affirming Receipt of Information/ Counseling Following the receipt of information and counseling, the physician or counselor and the minor must jointly sign and date a form attesting to the fact that the counseling requirements contained in this policy have been addressed to the satisfaction of the minor. The counselor's business address and telephone number must be included on the form.
Counseling Forms and Counseling Services Counseling forms developed by the Department of Public Health and Addiction Services (DPHAS) will only be available to health clinics under the jurisdiction of DPHAS and counseling services for minors, prior to an abortion, must be provided by counselors in those facilities.
Record Keeping A copy of the form noted in the Counseling Forms and Counseling Services section of this policy shall be kept by the counselor for the young woman's medical record. The original is given to the minor, or at the minor's request, the original form may be transmitted to the attending physician.
Emergency Exception Counseling procedures and forms are not required in medical emergencies that, for the patient's safety or well-being, require an immediate abortion. A doctor performing such an abortion must indicate the medical emergency in the medical records.

Connecticut Department of Children and Families Issued: March 1, 1994